"Drive for Peace": 2002 Charity Golf Event in China

Sina.com and the UN refugee agency in Hong Kong have joined hands to stage a charity golf event in partnership with business leaders from the Pearl River Delta area. Called "Drive for Peace", the event took place on September 27 at the World Cup Course in Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China. This is the first time that individuals and companies in the Pearl River Delta area have rallied around a public-private partnership to donate towards UNHCR's humanitarian programme.

In a shotgun start, golfers drove the balls amidst the sound of firecrackers. Shirley Siu won the event with 37 points, while the Hong Kong Jeweller Golf Association was the best team with 35.25 points.

Pledge donations reached over HK$500,000 during the event. Under present challenging economic circumstances, the event reflected the strong humanitarian concern and generosity of the entrepreneurs and companies in the area for the issue of security and prosperity. Volunteers from Hong Kong and mainland China devoted time, resources and pro bono services to help this event achieve a fruitful fund raising result.

As a charitable gesture for the "Drive for Peace", Sina.com, a leading Chinese Internet portal and a listed NASDAQ company in the United States, offered online advertising space and service to match sponsorship value as a reward to donor companies. UNHCR's co-organiser of the event champions philanthropic donations for entrepreneurs in the campaign area.

In a demonstration of solidarity, Miss Hong Kong 2002, Miss Tiffany Lam; Nobel Prize Laureate Sir James Mirrlees; Hong Kong celebrities Rosemary and Tiffany Lee; World Bank representative from the International Financial Corporation Tim Krause; TV anchor Miss Xie Yafang; as well as sports professionals and artists joined the launch to putt golf balls.

Participants also included representatives of UNHCR and Sina.com, chairmen and chief executive officers from the Pearl River Delta area, the Commercial Consul from the US Consulate-General in Hong Kong, the representative of the Canadian Consul in Hong Kong, the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Executive Director of Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Also present were local sports celebrities and members of the media.

September 2002