Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, Asia's richest man, has donated
100 million Hong Kong dollars, or US$13 million, to the 2008
Beijing Olympics.
Party Secretary of Beijing Municipality Liu Qi said the city has
received not just money, but, more importantly, the patriotism of
Mr. Li and his support for the Olympics.
The donation is for the National Swimming Center, which began
construction in late December. The 17,000-seat center will host the
swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming events.
Li's empire includes real estate, shipping, mobile networks, oil
and retail companies. He was ranked the world's 19th richest man by
Forbes magazine earlier this year.
(CRI.com October 31, 2004)