New World Group contributed RMB50 million for the Beijing Olympic National Aquatics Centre
New World Development Company Limited ("New World Group"; HK Stock Code: 0017) contributed RMB50 million to "Beijing Municipal Committee for Jointly Constructing Beijing Olympic Stadiums-Gymnasiums by Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Compatriots and Overseas Chinese" for the construction of Beijing Olympic National Aquatics Centre（also known as "Water Cube"）. The cheque presentation ceremony was held at Beijing Great Hall of the People on 6 July 2007, with Mr Liu Qi, Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee; Mr Wang Qishan, Mayor of Beijing and Ms You Lantian Minister of United Front Department of the Municipal Committee attending the event and Mr Wang accepting the donation on behalf of the government of Beijing from Dr Henry Cheng, Managing Director of New World Group. In return, Mr Wang presented a donation certificate and a souvenir to Dr Henry Cheng.
The amount will be used for the construction of "Water Cube". At the ceremony, Dr Henry Cheng said, "The 2008 Beijing Olympics is a momentous event which every Chinese in the world is proud of. Committed to Hong Kong and devoted to China, it is an honour for New World Group to contribute to the Olympics. I hope that the National Aquatics Centre will become the competitive stage for athletes from all over the world, the exercising ground for people in China, and also the place for the development and continuance of the Olympic spirit."
On behalf of the Beijing Olympic Committee, Mr Liu Qi thanked Dr Cheng Yu-Tung, Dr Henry Cheng, and New World Group for their generosity. He also talked about the economic development of Beijing and the preparation progress of the 2008 Olympics. The National Aquatics Centre is one of the venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Its design was inspired by soap bubbles. It was named "Water Cube" because of its blue-box-like appearance.
Up to now, "Beijing Municipal Committee for Jointly Constructing Beijing Olympic Stadiums-Gymnasiums by Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Compatriots and Overseas Chinese" has received donations of over RMB800 million from over 330,000 fellow countrymen in 90 countries and regions including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The equipment installation for "Water Cube" has been completed and the whole project is expected to complete in October 2007.