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(May 18, 2005, Beijing) Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world, held the grand opening ceremony of its first Supercenter located in Zhichun Street in Beijing followed by SAM’S CLUB opening two years ago. Mr. Huang Hai, Assistant Minister of MOFCM and Mr. Li Zhao, Director of Beijing Bureau of Commerce, attended the ceremony. In addition, attendees from Wal-Mart include Mr. John Menzer, Executive Vice President, President and CEO of Wal-Mart International, Mr. Stanley Yu, Chief Operating Officer of Wal-Mart China, and Mr. Rene Mang, Chief Administrative Officer of Wal-Mart China.

On the ceremony, government officials extended their sincere welcome to Wal-Mart and expected Wal-Mart’s entry would introduce advanced technology and retailing knowledge to the local retail industry to enhance local manufacture and logistics sectors. Mr. John Menzer, Executive Vice President, President and CEO of Wal-Mart International expressed, over the past nine years, Wal-Mart opened 45 stores in 21 cities with the operational philosophy of “Every Day Low Price” and aggressive customer services to gain consumers’ trust. The Beijing Supercenter is marked as the 46th store in the nation. Wal-Mart’s supercenter’s appearance in Beijing is anticipated to promote local economy and expected to gain popularity from local consumers.

On the ceremony, Mr. Stanley Yu, Chief Operating Officer of Wal-Mart China on behalf of the company donated RMB 100,000 to Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau.

Wal-Mart Supercenter Beijing Zhichun Store is operated in 18,000 square meters floor space and provides over 20,000 kinds of merchandise in fresh produce, clothing, small electronics, household products, etc.

Supercenter is a major business format for Wal-Mart’s operation in China, which is aimed to provide high quality merchandise at low prices to customers through Wal-Mart associates’ commitments in customer services and cost savings within one-stop shopping experience. To appreciate customers, Wal-Mart offered great promotional valued merchandise and provided a series of entertainment events during the grand opening.

Wal-Mart China opened its first Supercenter and SAM’S CLUB in August 1996 in Shenzhen. Till now, Wal-Mart China has opened 45 stores in 21 cities, including Shenzhen, Kunming, Fuzhou, Dalian, Xiamen, Shantou, Dongguan, Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang, Changsha, Beijing, Nanchang, Ji'nan, Qingdao, Tianjin, Nanjing, Nanning, Wuhan, Guiyang and Taiyuan. Wal-Mart Beijing Supercenter Zhichun Store is its 46th store in China.

Wal-Mart adheres to the corporate culture of “Respect for the Individual, Service to Our Customers and Strive for Excellence”. Wal-Mart’s direct and indirect procurement in 2004 exceeded USD 18 billion, which made tremendous contribution to China’s economy and foreign trade development. Wal-Mart also actively contributes in various charitable programs. Since 1997, Wal-Mart’s donations to various charitable organizations have reached over RMB 19.54 million.

Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer. In 2004, Wal-Mart achieved global sales of USD 285.2 billion. It topped the Fortune Global 500 for four consecutive years and topped the “American’s Most Admired Companies” for two years in a row. It was also named as one of the “Most Admired Companies” and the “Best Companies to Work for” in many countries. Wal-Mart employed 1.6 million associates worldwide and operated over 5300 stores in the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, China, South Korea, Germany and UK.