The National Arts Centre Foundation is honoured to announce an extraordinary gift of $1 million, generously made by Richard Li. This surprise donation, the largest one-time gift in the Foundation's history, was announced during the NAC's annual fundraising Gala before more than 2,300 audience members.

"We are thrilled to receive this vote of confidence from a dynamic business leader of Richard Li's stature," says Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the NAC.

Mr. Li's gift matches the record proceeds of the NAC's 10th anniversary Gala, one of Canada's most important evenings in support of the arts.

As a result of Mr. Li's generosity, the National Arts Centre will create exceptional learning and performance opportunities for young artists from across Canada, designed to help them maximize their talent and propel them forward in their careers.

Mr. Li's gift will also be put to use in creating scholarships and educational opportunities for students and young artists in China, such as making possible their participation in the NAC's annual Summer Music Institute.

Mr. Li's gift comes at a significant and symbolic time, as the NAC celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the Gala and the 5th anniversary of the founding of the National Youth and Education Trust. The proceeds of the National Arts Centre Gala are annually directed to the National Youth and Education Trust, which invests in young Canadians through the performing arts.

Richard Li is chairman of PCCW Limited, the largest provider of communications services in Hong Kong and one of Asia's leading Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) companies. He is also chairman and chief executive of the Pacific Century Group, chairman of Singapore-based Pacific Century Regional Developments Limited and Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited.

Before founding the Pacific Century Group, Mr. Li built STAR TV, Asia's first satellite-delivered cable-TV service in 1990. The sale of STAR TV to News Corp. in 1993 provided the capital to launch the Pacific Century Group later that year.

He is a member of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' International Councillors Group in Washington, DC; and a member of the Global Information Infrastructure Commission.

Mr. Li is also a Council Member of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

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