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Foton Launches a New Vehicle, Backs Chinese Junior Tennis Players

Juan Antonio Samaranch, the honorary president for life of the International Olympic Committee, attended a ceremony held by Beiqi Foton Motor Company Limited to its new Midi, a “hybrid” vehicle aimed at the business and organizational markets worldwide. During the event, Foton pledged to continue its support of Chinese junior tennis players who will train and study abroad.

During the September 11, 2008, event, held at the Foton Automotive Engineering and Researching Center in Changping District, Beijing, Samaranch and the Samaranch Foundation received an invitation from Foton to serve as a Foton Global Strategy Advisor.

Samaranch and Wang Jinyu, the general manager of Beiqi Foton Motor Company Limited, launched Foton’s new Midi, a multipurpose vehicle (MPV), which will serve as a flagship new product in Foton’s internationalization.

Foton spokesmen said the Midi is an advanced multi-functional vehicle based on the design of an MPV, making it the first business CDV (car-derived van) in China. This vehicle combines the modern, smart and powerful characteristics of an MPV, and also has the easy-control and comfortable characteristics of a car.

The Chinese Tennis Association became the first organization to use the Midi when Sun Jinfang, the director of Chinese Tennis Association, received keys to a Midi from Foton’s Wang. The relationship of Foton to tennis deepened with Foton’s financing of eight junior tennis players, who will be sent to Spain to train under the Chinese Junior Tennis Player Training Plan.

Samaranch said he was honoured to serve as a Foton Global Strategy Advisor on behalf of his foundation and himself; he said he will continue to support Foton’s brand internationalization. He said he hopes Foton will get even more deeply involved in the Olympic Movement as a partner of the Games; Wang said that was a goal of the company that may be achieved within five–ten years.

萨马兰奇先生受聘福田汽车全球战略顾问
文/赵迪迪

2008年9月11日，国际奥委会终身名誉主席萨马兰奇先生及其领导的基金会受邀成为北汽福田汽车股份有限公司（以下简称福田汽车）的全球战略顾问。在当日举行的聘任仪式上，萨马兰奇先生与福田汽车总经理王金玉先生共同为其旗下的国际化旗帜产品——Midi迷迪揭幕。此外，由福田汽车资助的“中国青少年网球培训计划”也同时启动，在2008年，将有2位中国网球教练和8位具有潜质的青少年网球运动员受此资助前往西班牙专业知名网球俱乐部——科奈娜国际网球中心进行培训，并适时参加西班牙职业比赛。

福田汽车作为萨马兰奇基金会中国区战略合作伙伴，致力于共同推动中国网球事业的发展。2007年6月，“中国青少年网球发展基金”成立，此项基金将用于优秀青少年网球选手的选拔以及全国性网球运动的推广活动等。萨马兰奇先生认为，此次福田汽车对中国网球运动员培训的资金支持是一项义举，有利于发展中国的网球事业，他对此表示十分欣慰和赞赏。