IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Free concert

Blind and poverty-stricken students enjoyed a free concert of pieces from Mozart sponsored by Mercedes-Benz on June 1, International Children's Day, at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing.

The concert was part of the auto brand's efforts to help promote classical music in China. It has signed an agreement with NCPA to sponsor weekend concerts and offer affordable tickets to the public. So far, 26 weekend concerts have been held, attracting more than 50,000 music lovers.

Panda donation

Chinese Internet conglomerate Tencent has donated 1 million yuan to build two panda houses at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Sichuan province.

The company donated 1 million yuan last year toward the construction of two houses for the eight pandas on display at Beijing Zoo during the Olympic Games. Many panda houses at the center were destroyed in the May 12 earthquake. Panda protection is one of the key philanthropic programs carried out by the Tencent Charity Foundation.

Baby health forum

A professional forum focusing on premature babies' health and medical support for them was held at the end of last month in Beijing.

The forum, sponsored by US-based drug and healthcare products manufacturer Wyeth, discussed education related to premature babies' nutrition.

Painting contest

The 2009 Chinese Children Environment Protection Painting Contest, sponsored by Holiland, one of China's largest bakery brands, and supported by United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), concluded recently.

The top 20 winners will visit the headquarters of UNEP in Nairobi, Kenya, and investigate local environmental conditions. The annual contest is held to enhance Chinese children's environmental protection awareness, with this year's theme being "Climate Change, Our Challenge".

(China Daily 06/08/2009 page8)