Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, Asia's richest man, has donated 100 million Hong Kong dollars, or US$13 million, to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Party Secretary of Beijing Municipality Liu Qi said the city has received not just money, but, more importantly, the patriotism of Mr. Li and his support for the Olympics.

The donation is for the National Swimming Center, which began construction in late December. The 17,000-seat center will host the swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming events.

Li's empire includes real estate, shipping, mobile networks, oil and retail companies. He was ranked the world's 19th richest man by Forbes magazine earlier this year.

(CRI.com October 31, 2004)