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December 25 is the western tradition - Christmas Day. Mr. Joe Hatfield, President & CEO of Wal-Mart Asia, invites approximate 150 children from Shenzhen Social Welfare Center (SZSWC) and Shenzhen Early Intervention Center For Children With Special Needs to attend 2004 Wal-Mart Happy Christmas Luncheon in Hilton Shenzhen Panglin Hotel. Mr. Hatfield has committed 10 years in Chinese retail industry and made remarkable contributions to Chinese exportation. On September 30 of this year, Mr. Hatfield accepted a Friendship Award from the Chinese Government and was received by the Premier, Wen Jiabao. This is the fifth time that Wal-Mart organizes Christmas party for Shenzhen orphans in a 5-star hotel and the event is financially sponsored by Mr. Hatfield since 2000. Mr. Liu Runhua, Director General of Shenzhen Civil Affairs Bureau, and Wal-Mart executives attend lunch.

Shenzhen Social Welfare Center is the only welfare institute in Shenzhen, which accepts orphans. In the meantime, about 150 children reside in the center and 58 of them are being fostered by local families. Many children have attended the Wal-Mart Christmas party for several years.

During lunch time, Mr. Hatfield gives his best wishes to the children and explains that caring children and helping neighbor are one of the significant parts of Wal-Mart community service. Wal-Mart is dedicated to the local community. Wal-Mart China executives and associates voluntarily take care of children as their parents and give each child a Christmas gift. In addition, Wal-Mart donates nutrition food paste, diaper, baby clothes that are worth of RMB 20,000 to SZSWC. The orphans and Wal-Mart associates organize spectacular performances during the party. The clown from the Happy Kingdom adds more joy and excitement… Mr. Fu Tianyue, General Party Secretary of Shenzhen Social Welfare Center, expresses warm appreciation to Mr. Hatfield and Wal-Mart associates.

Serving customers and giving back to the community are traditions of Wal-Mart. Since 1997, Wal-Mart has donated more than RMB300,000 to Shenzhen Social Welfare Center.

Wal-Mart opened its first store in Shenzhen in 1996. Currently, Wal-Mart operated 43 stores in 20 cities and employed more than 20,000 associates. Wal-Mart has actively participated in local community service and has contributed over RMB19.13 million to various charity organizations since 1996.