Zhang Jianqiu, executive chairman of Yili Group (fourth from left) poses for a photograph with attendees during the launch ceremony held in Sichuan province on Sept 3. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Yili plans to provide 30,000 tins of infant milk formula powder to 1-year-old children in Liangshan, Sichuan province over the next three years, said Zhang Jianqiu, the executive president of Yili Group on Sept 3. 

The firm expects to spend around 6.45 million yuan ($945,000) on the initiative, he added, speaking at a launch ceremony held in Liangshan.

As part of its charity project “Nutrition 2020”, the new project aims to cut mother-to-child transmission rates of HIV in the region.

International medical research has shown that the safest way for HIV-infected mothers to feed their babies is with formula milk.

To reduce the chances of infants contracting HIV through improper feeding routines, we want to promote formula milk as the best choice for mothers suffering from HIV, said Zhang.

Zhang pointed out that some babies born to HIV-infected mothers struggle to get enough nutrients for a variety of reasons.

The company also plans to provide specialists to give advice to parents on healthcare, nutrition and parenting. According to Yili, the project will involve the participation of leading pediatricians.

By the end of 2020, it is hoped that thousands of parents in the area will have benefited from the project.

In addition, over the next three years the group will organize public lectures for medical staff in nearly 700 villages across Liangshan.