Extra: Mr. Li Ka Shing Hands Liu Xiang TOM Online Award

Extra: Mr. Li Ka Shing Hands Liu Xiang TOM Online Award

BEIJING, Dec. 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Mr. Li Ka Shing, Chairman of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd and Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, congratulated Olympic gold medalist hurdler, Liu Xiang, at the year's most dazzling sporting event in Beijing as he announced Liu the winner of TOM Online Sports Awards' grand prize.

"Every Chinese is proud of what you have achieved," Mr. Li said at the event through video link. "You are tonight's sporting hero with the highest number of votes, the most important person in this event."

Twenty-one-year-old Liu made history in August's Athens Olympics when he became China's first-ever male Olympics gold winner in track and field as he stormed past the finishing line of the 110 meter hurdles race to tie the world record of 12.9 seconds.

Mr. Li, a long-time philanthropist who has donated as much as HK$5 billion to promote health and education, praised Liu's Herculean achievement at the Games and awarded the night's highest honor to the Shanghai native.

A highlight of the night's programs was the bidding for memorabilia donated by the stars of the sports and entertainment world in a charity auction held via Internet auction website and TOM Online's business partner, eBay. Proceeds from the auction will be used to provide academic education of sportspeople in China.

The Founder of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, which was set up in 1980 to promote health, education, arts and other community projects, Mr. Li was touched by the occasion and took the opportunity to present the award to Liu, who also shares the belief of advancing the education of sportspeople.

Mr. Li said it is commendable that some athletes are prepared to devote their time and efforts to take care of the welfare of their peers while at the same time striving for achievements in their respective sports. Mr. Li, who always values the importance of knowledge, said he believes knowledge can change one's fate.

The following is Mr. Li's unabridged congratulatory speech to Liu at the event:

"Did you know how exhilarating your performance was at the Athens Olympics?

"My heart raced faster with every hurdle you jumped; when you leapt the last hurdle, my heart was about to leap out also.

"Every Chinese is proud of what you have achieved. At tonight's TOM Online Sports Awards Gala, you are raising funds for athletes. I believe it will be a successful event; you fund raising efforts will be successful, too.

"Knowledge and fate often go hand in hand. That is why it is important and a good thing to improve one's knowledge.

"I wish tonight's event all the success. And congratulations to you; you are tonight's sporting hero with the highest number of votes, the most important person in this event. Don't forget, I will come to Beijing to see you in 2008. Goodbye, congratulations to all!"

Alongside with nearly a hundred of well-known entertainers who attended the glittery gala, some of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong's top-notch celebrities such as singer-songwriter Qi Qin, pop idol Miriam Yeung and renowned pianist Li Yundi also went on stage as award presenters.

With a smile, Mr. Li spoke to Liu the encouraging words: "Don't forget, I will come to Beijing to see you in 2008."

About TOM Online Inc.

TOM Online Inc. (Nasdaq: TOMO; HK GEM stock code: 8282) is a leading wireless Internet company in China providing value-added multimedia products and services. A premier online brand in China targeting the young and trendy demographic, the company's primary business activities include wireless Internet services, online advertising and commercial enterprise solutions. The company offers an array of services such as SMS, MMS, WAP, wireless interactive voice response services, content channels, search and classified information, free and fee-based advanced email and online games. As of September 30, 2004, TOM Online is the only portal in China that enjoyed a top three ranking in every wireless Internet service segment.

TOM Online is a subsidiary of TOM Group Limited ("TOM Group"), one of the leading Chinese language media groups in the Greater China region. TOM Group's diverse operations span five media sectors: the Internet (through TOM Online Inc.), outdoor (through TOM Outdoor Media Group), publishing, sports and TV & entertainment.

For enquiries:
Rico Ngai, Corporate Communications (International)
TOM Online Inc.
Tel: +86 (10) 6528-3399 Ext 6940
Mobile: +86 139-118-95354
Fax: +86 (10) 8518-1169
E-mail: ricongai@bj.tom.com

Tan Xiaoqing, Corporate Communications (Mainland China)
TOM Online Inc.
Beijing
Office tel: +86 (10) 6528-3399 Ext 6768
Fax: +86 (10) 8518-1169
E-mail: tanxiaoqing@bj.tom.com


Source: TOM Online Inc.

CONTACT: Rico Ngai, Corporate Communications (International) of TOM
Online Inc., +86-10-6528-3399, Ext. 6940, or Mobile: +86 139-118-95354, or
Fax: +86-10-8518-1169, ricongai@bj.tom.com; or Tan Xiaoqing, Corporate
Communications (Mainland China) of TOM Online Inc., Beijing, +86-10-6528-3399,
Ext. 6768, or Fax: +86-10-8518-1169, tanxiaoqing@bj.tom.com

Web site: http://www.tom.com/


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