t6pr.com - China 7+2 Expedition South Pole Team

Hong Kong, December 8, 2005 - An expedition team formed by Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong members will set off this evening for the South Pole. The mission will represent the last stop of a "7+2" Challenge for two team members including Hong Kong mountaineer Mr Chung Kin Man. A ceremony was hosted this afternoon by Shenzhen Mountaineering and Outdoors Association and Hong Kong Mountaineering Union, in the presence of Hon Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, GBS, JP, President, Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China and Ms Chan Ah King, Deputy Director General of Publicity, Culture & Sports Department, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in HKSAR.

The expedition team comprises 6 members, including Mr Wang Shi, President of China Vanke Co., Ltd., Hong Kong renowned mountaineer Mr Chung Kin Man, and Mr Cao Jun from China. The expedition was supported by China Resources Group, China Mobile and SSI Holdings (Far East) Limited.

"7+2" represents the climbing of the seven highest mountains on seven continents, and expeditions to the two poles, collectively the nine points of limit on earth. In 1995, the "7+2" challenge was first accomplished by Korean Heo Young Ho and to date, only 5 persons have completed the mission. China is yet to make her mark on this scoreboard.

Mr Timothy Fok remarked at the ceremony: "I sincerely wish the team a successful expedition and look forward to welcoming home the first group of Chinese "7+2' mountaineers. In particular, I am proud to see Mr Chung Kin Man and HKSAR to be listed on the historical record of "7+2'. Mr Chung brings with him the unyielding spirit of Hong Kong and is a true role model for our younger generation and other athletes."

Mr Wang Shi, President of Shenzhen Mountaineering & Outdoors Association said: "While "7+2' is every mountaineer's dream expedition to test one's limits, we have an additional mission of calling on the business sector to do more to protect our ecology. In China, a group of earth friendly enterprises have answered the call for sustainable development by actively supporting green activities. It is the objective of our team and supporting institutions such as China Resources to echo nature's call."

Mr Yu Ka-chi, Frederick, Chairman of Hong Kong Mountaineering Association noted: "This expedition also reflects the combined strength of Hong Kong and Shenzhen elites in mountaineering. We look forward to the "7+2' expedition for a further boost to the local mountaineering sport. It is our ongoing initiative to promote this sport to more Hong Kong people."

The China Resources China "7+2" Expedition South Pole Team aims to raise funds in support of studies and protection of the rare and endangered White-headed Leaf Monkeys in Chongzuo County of Guangxi Zhuang Municipality. The team will depart from Hong Kong this evening and is expected to return in early January 2006.

Issued by :
Shenzhen Mountaineering & Outdoors Association
Hong Kong Mountaineering Union

Through :
HK6 Media Limited Danielle Chan
t6.communications limited Jenny Lee