Company discusses sustainable business operations model in Milan

With Italy's Expo Milano 2015 nearing an end, Zhai Jingli, deputy CEO of APP-China, said the company, one of the largest papermaking companies in China, has effectively shown expo visitors the essence of the Far East nation's centuries-old culture.

The expo, which opened on May 1, attracted exhibitors from 145 countries, three international organizations and 13 non-governmental organizations. By the time it wraps up, it is expected to have hosted 20 million visitors from around the world during its six-month run.

APP-China, the Chinese branch of Asia Pulp and Paper Co Ltd, established close ties with the expo on Sept 26 last year when it became one of the global partners of the China Pavilion and also its exclusive provider of paper products.

Zhai was invited to attend China Pavilion Day on June 8 along with delegates from the Chinese and Italian governments and representatives of companies and commerce chambers worldwide.

On Sept 11, APP-China organized a photo show at the historic Palazzo Giureconsulti in downtown Milan to highlight the cooperation between APP-China and the China Pavilion, showcase the company's social responsibility and highlight China's traditional papermaking culture.

The show displayed 40 photos that captured what life is like in Beijing, Shanghai, Wenchuan county in Sichuan province and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan province. The photos were taken by photographers from Xihan Action, a public welfare organization that focuses on protecting intangible cultural heritage.

The show also served as a warmup to Corporate Day, another highlight of APP-China's activities held on Sept 25 at the China Pavilion under the theme of "Civilization Inheritance, Green China".

The company discussed its sustainable business operations model called "plantation-pulp-paper integration" during the event and the company's employees also displayed traditional handicrafts like papercutting and stone rubbing.

Zhai said using plantations to supply the primary raw materials for its Chinese pulp and paper subsidiaries efficiently helps achieve economic, ecological and social benefits.

"We are glad to showcase the company's advanced papermaking technologies and environmentally friendly skills during the expo. We also want to turn the vision of harmonious development between people and the earth into real action by publicizing the protection of the environment and its resources among consumers," Zhai said.

"Paper is an integral part of Chinese traditional culture, and we will stick to our sustainable development strategy to keep the culture alive across generations," she added.

haonan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 10/01/2015 page9)