Dr. Chen Hongtian, Along With Shenzhen & Hong Kong Entrepreneurs, Joining Hands with Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation to Build an Ecological Dream

2020.11.28

Harmony Club and Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation (MCF) co-organised the "Night of Harmony & Mangrove 2020: Shenzhen 40th Anniversary, Building an Ecological Dream As One" charity banquet on 27 November, 2020. The dinner successfully culminated at The St. Regis hotel Shenzhen.  Dr. Chen Hongtian, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, a Justice of the Peace appointed by the HKSAR, Chairman of Harmony Club and Chairman of Cheung Kei Group graced the event and donated RMB 400,000 to the Foundation.

Over 300 guests from all walks of life, including Cui Minrong, Director of the Shenzhen CPPCC Subcommittee of Economy; Zhang Qian, Deputy Director and member of the leadership of the Planning & Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality; Chen Yakai, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Shenzhen Civil Affairs Bureau and Secretary of the Joint Party Committee of the Shenzhen Non-Governmental Organisation; renowned Shenzhen and Hong Kong entrepreneurs; Wang Shi, Chairman of the Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation; Chen Jinsong, Executive Chairman and other members ofthe MCF family; Zhu Zhenggang, President of the Guangdong Branch of the Agricultural Bank of China; as well as mainstream media representatives graced the occasion. The event raised RMB 9.04 million, and all proceeds will be used for wetland conservation and environmental education efforts.

The event was a resounding success.

2020 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. It is the first time that Harmony Club has joined hands with the Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation to pay tribute to the Special Economic Zone. It is also a reflection of the entrepreneurs' sense of social responsibility, and their concerted effort to build a more ecological city, and to protect the coastal wetlands. During the event, Dr Chen Hongtian expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all in the audience for their attendance, support and participation on behalf of the Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation. Dr. Chen said that environmental protection is a global issue, and the lowest common denominator internationally. Dr.Chen then thanked Chairman Chen Jinsong for his invitation, which has made this Charity Dinner co-organised by HarmonyClub and the Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation possible. He then shared that all members of Harmony Club fully support this environmental charity campaign.

Dr. Chen Hongtian giving aspeech at the event.

"I strongly agree with Chairman Wang Shi's views, that charity should not be seen as a burden; and as an individual or an organisation, donations should be made within one's means. I am not an advocate of the act of making "all-out donations" that some rave about internationally. I believe that the greatest responsibility of a businessman is to run his or her business well, to look after his or her staff, family, the people around them - to develop a solid business is the greatest charitable act of an entrepreneur. Harmony Club is a group of kindred spirits that embraces unity, where people get together for charity, the welfare of the society, doing good, and supporting each other. All businesses involved in Harmony Club are grateful to our Party and our country for all our achievements today. We thank the government for their unwavering, timely support and help when our businesses encounter any difficulties and hardship."

Chairman Wang Shi giving a speech at the event.

Speaking on the topic of the spirit of entrepreneurship, Wang Shi, Chairman of the Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation, said that the business elites of the country are gathered in Shenzhen, and the community has also shown great enthusiasm towards the protection of mangrove wetlands. In addition, the concept of wetland conservation has gradually expanded to Southeast Asia, Africa and other regions along with the "Belt and Road" initiative. Mr. Wang said, "The mangrove conservation basecamp in Shenzhen is on its way to becoming an international organisation recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. I am particularly grateful for the support of entrepreneurs such as Dr. Chen Hongtian, the founder of Harmony Club, for their support of this event."

Executive Chairman Chen Jinsong giving a speech at theevent.

Chen Jinsong, Executive Chairman of the Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation, gave an introduction to the purpose of the charity dinner, which is to tap into the efforts of the community to protect the coastal wetlands. He said, "Shenzhen Bay is the spiritual home for the people of Shenzhen, and it is the badge of honour for the city's ecology. The Foundation has strived to engage people from all walks of life into participating in the conservation of coastal wetlands in Shenzhen and across the country through a social-ecological approach. Favourable policy instruments from the Belt and Road initiative in recent years have focused on the conservation of wetlands, broadening the prospect for the conservation of mangrove wetlands at an unprecedented level. The collaboration with Harmony Club this time allows us to push the boundaries, and take our goal of social participation to a new level.

Charity Giving Pledge Segment

The charity dinner was hosted by Shenzhen Media Group's chief news anchor Wu Qingjie and Shenzhen Catic Wellness Co., Ltd.'s Chairman Wang Lan. The event featured an art auction, a charity giving pledge segment, and a creative "Special Segment on Crowdfunding", where guests in attendance came together to make donations for coastal wetland habitat conservation.

Dr. Chen Hongtian & Chairman Wang Shi shake hands at the event.

Li Xiangyi, Chairman of Harmony Club Charity Foundation and Xinyi Group; and Chen Hua, Executive Vice Chairman of Harmony Club and Chairman of Kingkey Group, also performed songs to fundraise at the event. Xia Daoning, Chairman of Yi Fang Group; Dr. Chen Xiaowei, a young singer from the China National Traditional Orchestra and an ambassador for China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation; and Ma Teng, a young tenor singer from Shenzhen Opera & Dance Theatre, also gave rousing performances.

The funds raised at the charity dinner will be used for both wetland conservation and environmental education work.

As a public foundation for environmental protection, MCF adheres to the regulations of the Charity Law of the People's Republic of China. The foundation strives to be transparent and open in its work on wetland conservation and environmental education. Information on all campaigns, progress, and use of funds would be disclosed to the public, so that the general public will gain a better understanding of our cause.

Group photos of guests in attendance.

Guests such as Chen Huawei, Chairman of Shenzhen Huaxun Weiye Group; Li Xiaoyong, Chairman of Shenzhen Huachengfeng Group; Shu Xin, Chairman of the Board of Kingao HoldingGroup Co., Ltd; Xu Mingjin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shenzhen Xiangbin Group Holdings Ltd.; Zhou Chunling, HK Yong An International Investment Company, Ltd.; Wang Mingfan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of China Boton Group; Yang Song, President of Shenzhen Guangshengda Holdings Ltd.; Zhang Bin, Chairman of Shenzhen Pengfeng Investment Group; Yao Yongning, President of Shenzhen Shen Shang Holdings Limited; Zhao Zhiming, Chairman of TMSON Investment Holding Group; Huang Shun, Director of Shenzhen Bond Culture Development Co.; and Wan Jie, Sun Lili, Liu Zhaoxia, Liu Huihui, Chen Jinsong, Du Xin, Li Chunming, Fei Guoqiang, friends of the Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation; Feng Lun, Chairman of Yufeng Capital and Founder of Milton Holdings Group; Ren Kelei, Chairman of Shenzhen Art and Design Alliance; Ai Luming, the 7th Chairman of SEE Conservation, and Yang Jigun, Chairman of the Board of Zhongnong Haidao (Shenzhen) Biotechnology Co., Ltd.,  were also in attendance during this event.