(19 January 2015 – Hong Kong) New World Department Store China Limited (“NWDS” or the “Company”; Hong Kong stock code: 825), one of the largest owners and operators of department stores in Mainland China, is pleased to announce its second collaboration with Shanghai Changning District Sports Association to jointly launch “@Sports – Cool Soccer” training program (the “program”) following the previous success of “@Sports – Tennis Academy” tennis training program. The kick-off ceremony was completed with satisfaction at Shanghai Changning District Tianshan No.2 Primary School on 14 January. Mr. Wu Yulei, Deputy Chief of Shanghai Changning Education Bureau, Mr. Ye Lisheng, Deputy Secretary of Shanghai Changning District Sports Association and Mr. Xi Zhikan, the Chinese coach of SIPG Football Club, officiated the ceremony while Mr. Wang Shenchao and Mr. Sun Xiang, the famous soccer players of SIPG Football Club staged a live soccer performance to unveil the program. About 200 teachers, students, parents, guest and media guests were invited to witness the important moment.

“@Dream Sustainable Development Program” is the Company’s heavyweight sustainable development community project with four major themes, namely, music, learning, sports and soul, providing a diverse learning platform for under-resourced children in Mainland China. This year, the Company plans to further strengthen its participation in sports and identifies soccer as the main theme of the program considering it is the world’s most popular sports and its increasing popularity in Mainland China. In review of the positive responses received from “@Sports – Tennis Academy” tennis training program that the Company launched with the Association in March 2014, the Company decided to further deepen the collaboration and thus, co-organized this “@Sports – Cool Soccer” training program.

The program aims to enhance the well-being of the students as well as cultivating their good sportsmanship in terms of perseverance, team spirit and respect for rules. One-year free elementary course will be provided to 100 students aged 7 to 12 from Shanghai Changning District Tianshan No.2 Primary School who have potential in soccer but lack learning opportunities. The 300-hour training curriculum would include basic soccer skills, teamwork training and special techniques and classes would be taught three times a week by three professional coaches.

At the kick-off ceremony, Mr. Ye Lisheng, Deputy Secretary of Shanghai Changning District Sports Association, Ms. Reelin Cao, Executive Member of Sustainable Steering Committee and Assistant General Manager of Corporate Affairs of NWDS and Mr. Xi Zhikan, the Chinese coach of SIPG Football Club, delivered speech respectively to encourage students to value the learning opportunity offered by NWDS. At the end of the ceremony, well-known soccer players, Mr. Wang Shenchao and Mr. Sun Xiang, staged an impressive soccer technique demonstration to the students while the students performed a soccer cheering dance and soccer skill demonstration in return to show gratitude to all supporting parties and put a perfect end for the day.

Ms. Rebecca Woo, Corporate Affairs Director and Chairman of Sustainability Steering Committee of NWDS, said, “It is our honor to cooperate with Shanghai Changning District Sports Association again to make ‘@Sports – Cool Soccer’ training program happen and special thanks is dedicated to Shanghai Changning Education Bureau which has provided tremendous support on developing the program syllabus and recruiting the students. I sincerely hope that the program will not only bring children the benefits of exercising, but also be able to train up their physical and mental health, explore their potentials and help them nurture a positive attitude when facing challenges, equipping them to contribute to society in the future.”

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