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©Provided to UNICEF China Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative to China, (centre) accepted the keys to the car donated by Mr. Chen Qigang (right), composer of the theme song for the Games of the 29th Olympiad

Beijing, 19 August 2008 – Mr. Chen Qigang, composer of the official Theme Song of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, "You and Me", presented an Audi car worth at least 85,000 US dollars to UNICEF China to help nurture the music talents and dreams of thousands of out-of-school children in less-developed western China.

"I just wanted to write a beautiful song and never expected to receive such a big award from Audi China," Chen said at the donation ceremony on 15 August 2008. He received the car from Beijing Olympic sponsor Audi China for winning the Olympic Theme Song competition.

His winning composition was chosen out of 98,871 entries submitted to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) from around the world over a period of five years. The song enchanted the live audience and an estimated two billion television viewers during the Opening Ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on 8 August.

"When I learnt that there was a UNICEF-supported Audi Driving Dreams programme, I decided to donate the unexpected award to UNICEF for the benefit of children in China. Many children in western China still can't receive music education. Through the programme I hope we can bring music closer to them," said the composer.

Since 2006, Audi's support of the Driving Dreams Project has enabled thousands of children in China's lesser developed areas to access arts education and sporting activities through the UNICEF-assisted out-of-school programme, and has also helped realize the Olympic spirit of participation and non-discrimination.  Sports, music, and art activities provide children with a healthy way to discover their potential and creativity.

"The generous support from Mr. Chen Qigang and Audi will help approximately 6,000 out-of-school children by enabling them to participate in art and music-related activities in 140 Knowledge Information Resources Centres in 10 rural provinces in western China," said Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative to China.

UNICEF China has been working in China since 1979 on education programmes.  The Audi-supported Driving Dreams project is implemented in cooperation with the China Association of Science and Technology (CAST).

About UNICEF in China:
UNICEF first assisted China between 1947 and 1951, providing emergency services, food and nutrition, health and hygiene training during and after the Revolutionary War. In 1979 UNICEF officially commenced its cooperation with the Government of China to support child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. 

For further information, please contact:
Liu Li, UNICEF China, +86 10 65323131 Ext. 1303, 1370 106 6671, liliu@unicef.org