IN BRIEF (Page 10)

Swing for the stars

As the premier corporate partner of the Chinese National Tennis Team and China Tennis Association, Mercedes-Benz for the first time invited the best young players from its "Swing for the Stars" Chinese Junior Tennis Development Program and University Tennis Challenge to compete at the 2009 China Tennis Grand Prix held recently in Nanjing.

The tournament co-sponsored by the German luxury car manufacturer showcased the "Swing for the Stars" program, which provides professional training to young Chinese tennis players. The event also provided the future tennis stars and global trainers with a platform to share game experiences and promote the sport of tennis.

Energy conservation

China Mobile, the country's largest wireless telecommunications carrier, signed a letter of agreement with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to reduce its power consumption by one-fifth by the end of December 2012.

The company said it will also strengthen the promotion of energy-saving technology and design in its communications network by using wind power, solar power and other renewable energy sources at its base stations.

Food design contest

The 2009 American Almonds Students Innovation Competition, sponsored by the Almonds Board of California in the United States, presented awards to 50 winning works from Chinese applicants.

Organizers said the goal of the annual contest, first held in 2004, is to accelerate development of the Chinese food industry and promote design professionals.

Environmental contest

Sponsored by one of China's leading bakery chains, Holiland, the third session of the China's Children Environmental Protection Painting Contest was recently launched.

According to Luo Hong, founder and chairman of Holiland, the theme of this session is biological diversity. The contest will involve more than 1,700 primary and middle schools.

The last two sessions of the event attracted the participation of more than 3.8 million teachers and students.

(China Daily 11/23/2009 page10)