Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing presents an award to Huang Yanting, one of the most outstanding graduates at Shantou University this year, at the Guangdong-based university's graduation ceremony on Friday. [Photo by CHEN CHENGXIAO/FOR CHINA DAILY] When it comes to speeches during graduation season, few are quite as buzzworthy as the one by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing at Shantou University on Friday. At a commencement ceremony filled with laughs and tears, Li also announced he is stepping down as honorary chairman of the university, which he established 38 years ago, and his son Richard Li Tzar-kai will continue his mission. Li Ka-shing, who will turn 90 in July, recalled at the ceremony where we are now was a swamp 38 years ago. Many mocked me that this was but a fool's dream. I believe then, as I believe now, that only through education can we fulfill the promise we hope for the future. He has attended the university's commencement and delivered a speech for 17 consecutive years. It is also the latest position he has resigned since announcing his retirement from his companies, CK Hutchison and CK Asset, in May. His charity, Li Ka Shing Foundation, has invested almost HK$10 billion ($1.3 billion) in the university in Guangdong, where Li was born before he moved to Hong Kong. At the campus' 60,000-square-meter indoor gym, the billionaire gave a speech entitled Searching for Better to more than 2,600 graduates. The college has 22,000 students and 110,000 alumni. The modern milieu is very different. The world of new challenges calls for the need to find variables with values. The uninitiated like only to bask in the comfort zone, which leads them nowhere. Things won't be disrupted unless you ask how they could be done differently, remarked Li. The entrepreneur, affectionately dubbed superman by Hong Kong residents, advised students to be creative with their talents to make a change in the world, but also stressed a functioning conscience matters as much as having talent. After his speech, students sang the school anthem and many burst into tears. Jiang Hong, president of the university, said Li has been taking care of the school since the very beginning and devoted his deepest love. She also mentioned that a book with Li's remarks will be sent to graduating students as a gift this year. paper wristbands uklivestrong braceletwristbands onlinecheap custom wristbandsrubber arm bandscool wristbands
Sri Lankan flood victims await for relief workers to bring them drinkable water bottles and food at Godagama, Matara, southern part of Sri Lanka on May 30, 2017. [Photo/VCG] COLOMBO - Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday thanked the Chinese government and its people for their assistance to flood-hit families in the island country. Along with tents, blankets and funds donated by the Chinese government and companies, the Buddhist Association of China on Saturday also donated 22 million rupees ($144,000) to the Disaster Relief Fund to assist the families affected by the disaster. Speaking to Chinese monks and officials who were present from the donation, Sirisena said China had immediately responded to Sri Lanka's call for aid and had sent three ships of relief items for the victims. In addition, he said, a Chinese flight with more relief items is also expected to arrive in the island country. Many countries have helped us by sending ships and flights filled with relief items. Many have donated funds as well. On behalf of the government and its people, I wish to thank all these countries. These funds will now be used to build houses for those affected, Sirisena said. The president said China and Sri Lanka have shared a long lasting friendship which would only continue to be further strengthened. The Chinese relief items, along with donations of funds, have been distributed to thousands of Sri Lankan people affected by the floods and landslides which hit the nation earlier this week. An 18-member Chinese Blue Sky Rescue Team is also in the country, assisting forces and authorities to conduct cleaning operations, medical care and disease prevention in some of the worst-hit areas. The flood victims have commended the help offered by China. China has always helped us in many ways. We are praying for their safety and strength as they continue to help those affected in these areas, Nilanthi Dhammika, a villager in Pahiyangala in the country's south, said. Chairman of the Sevalanka Foundation Harsha Navaratne said Sri Lanka always remembered China's assistance especially during troubled times. Even during the ongoing disaster, the Chinese government along with its private sector provided great relief to the victims, he added. China has pledged to offer 15 million yuan ($2.2 million) in humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka after severe rains from May 26 caused disastrous floods and landslides in many districts of the country. So far 211 people have been killed while 91 others still missing in the worst disaster since 2003, according to the Disaster Management Center. Over 700,000 people have been affected by the floods and landslides while over 100,000 are seeking shelter in safe locations.
