On September 23, the launch ceremony for the "'Eko' Journey Together - BaLian Touch-Care X Eko Charitable Initiative" was held at the Linfen Street Community Party-Mass Service Center. Starting from September 23 for a one-month period, BaLian Eko will establish "Love Exchange Stations" at 30 stores in Shanghai and build "Love Supply Stations" in the Linfen Road Street community, providing a total of 20,000 free care packages to DiDi Global Inc. drivers. This initiative demonstrates the state-owned enterprise's commitment to "business for good" through concrete actions, explores a new "business + charity" model, and adds a warm touch to Shanghai's charitable landscape.

**"Practical Supplies" Convey Warmth**

"In my years of driving ride-hailing vehicles, irregular meals and lack of rest places are common issues," said Master Du, a DiDi Global Inc. driver with emotion. Having worked in the ride-hailing industry for many years, he travels through Shanghai's streets and alleys daily, sometimes so busy that he doesn't even have time for a sip of water. "Today, receiving Eko's care package with bread and beverages - all practical supplies suitable for us - really warms my heart."

At the launch ceremony, BaLian Eko distributed care packages to DiDi Global Inc. driver representatives present. The packages not only contained carefully selected nutritional supplements but also included service guides for Eko stores, clearly marking the locations of 30 participating stores.

"Convenience stores are 'kitchens that never close,' and drivers are 'ferrymen of the city.' Through this activity, we hope to provide real convenience to drivers who are constantly on the road," said a BaLian Eko representative.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the packages specially included gift boxes of Shanghai specialty pastries from Eko's private brand "Yi Bei." "This serves both as energy supplements for the drivers and as early festival blessings."

"This is the first Mid-Autumn Festival gift I've received this year. It makes us outsiders working in Shanghai feel the city's human touch," said Master Zhang, a DiDi Global Inc. driver, holding his gift box with joy.

At the event, BaLian Eko and DiDi Global Inc. completed a partnership signing, making their charitable cooperation more standardized and in-depth. Over the next month, BaLian Eko will display activity posters at 30 participating stores. DiDi Global Inc. drivers can scan QR codes and, after verification on the DiDi platform, receive vouchers to exchange for free care packages. Additionally, Eko will establish a love supply station at the Linfen Community Party-Mass Service Center, regularly providing free beverages and instant food for DiDi Global Inc. drivers and outdoor workers, demonstrating the brand's values and warmth through actions.

**Continuous Upgrade of Charitable Services**

During the 2024 "May 5th Shopping Festival," BaLian Group officially launched its signature service brand "Touch-Care." Combining BaLian's rich business format resources and service capabilities, it creates thoughtful, caring, and worry-free specialized services, allowing consumers to constantly experience professionalism, reliability, and convenience, better reflecting the brand proposition of "BaLian's attentive service, care within reach."

As a BaLian subsidiary, Eko upholds the mission of state-owned enterprise responsibility and serving the people, consistently practicing charitable concepts, pursuing business for good, fulfilling social responsibilities, and creating beautiful value through multi-party collaboration.

BaLian Eko has always focused on the living challenges of different professionals, using concrete actions to care for people in special work positions. In fact, this charitable activity is not Eko's first initiative targeting the driver community. Previously, Eko partnered with DiDi Designated Driver and Qiangsheng Holdings to launch activities like "1 Square Meter of Warmth" and "Heartwarming Eko Station, Qiangsheng Driver Haven," creating rest areas within dozens of stores to solve the difficulties of designated drivers and taxi drivers regarding parking, dining, and resting.

During the second "BaLian Spring Warming Action," Eko themed "delivering meals to meal deliverers," providing loving nutritious breakfasts to food delivery riders, turning "meal deliverers" into "meal recipients," ensuring delivery riders could also enjoy hot breakfasts on time.

Furthermore, Eko has designated over 60 stores as "Trade Union Outdoor Worker Service Stations" based on store layouts and characteristics, covering 12 administrative districts in Shanghai, providing hot water, microwaves, care packages, and rest seats for outdoor workers.

The "Eko Journey Together" activity represents an upgrade of Eko's charitable initiatives. To ensure adequate supply of 20,000 care packages, BaLian Eko developed a detailed execution plan. Participating stores are distributed across Pudong, Huangpu, Jing'an, Changning, Yangpu, Hongkou, Xuhui, Minhang, Songjiang, Qingpu, and other areas, all selected in locations convenient for ride-hailing drivers to park temporarily, aiming to maximize meeting the actual needs of the driver community.

Eko established an internal working group that dynamically restocks daily based on actual pickup conditions at each store, ensuring continuous supply at all participating love stations.

"We thank BaLian Touch-Care and Eko for their thoughtfulness, and appreciate the street's support for us. With multi-party efforts, we believe the work and life of our driver colleagues will definitely become more comfortable," said Chen Cuiping, Secretary of the DiDi Global Inc. Driver Party Branch.

Linfen Road Street has always focused on protecting the rights and interests of new economy workers. This charitable collaboration between Eko and the DiDi Global Inc. driver community aligns perfectly with the street's work direction, benefiting more outdoor workers.

"Upholding the philosophy of BaLian Group's signature service brand 'Touch-Care' and actively practicing ESG concepts, from '1 square meter rest areas' to 'love supply stations,' from single meal deliveries to long-term services, we hope to make our charitable work more solid and long-lasting," said the BaLian Eko representative. Eko firmly believes that a company's value lies not only in creating commercial benefits but also in fulfilling social responsibilities. "Focusing on individual growth and promoting social progress - this is our unchanging original intention. We also look forward to more companies and individuals joining charitable efforts to contribute to society's positive development together."