May 30th, 2009, Beijing – To celebrate the upcoming International Children's Day, Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd. today invited a group of over 150 students from the Beijing School for the Blind and the Hongzhi Class of Guangqumen Middle School, to enjoy a specially arranged Weekend Concert themed at "Voice of Mozart" at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). All of them were very thrilled about their first visit to NCPA, and a lasting memory in the company of the beautiful and classical music of Mozart dedicated by Mercedes-Benz.

Listening is one of the most vital means of communication between people; and it plays an especially critical role for the blind, as it contributes to their feelings, perception, and understanding of the world. Music has the miraculous power to touch children's spirit, warms their heart, and shows them a whole new perspective of the world. Mozart's classical piano concertos fully personify the joy, elegance, and vitality of youth, which is why Mercedes-Benz and NCPA specifically selected "Voice of Mozart" as the theme for this special Children's Day Weekend Concert. The invited guests were encouraged and enlightened by the beautiful melody and the power it conveys.

"Compared to other children, these handicapped youths need more care and attention from society. We believe that the power of music could help them overcome the barrier of visual impairment, feel the beauty and love of the world, and inspire them to pursue a better life," said Mr. Bjoern Hauber, General Manager of Sales & Marketing of Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd. "I hope that this special day would be an unforgettable moment in their childhood that is worth a lifetime of memories. This is also in line with the true motivation behind Mercedes-Benz and NCPA's cooperation for the Weekend Concert Series."

As the first strategic partner of NCPA, Mercedes-Benz has dedicated itself to the culture development and popularization in China. Since its launch in the end of last year, the Weekend Concert Series has successfully made an impact on more than 50,000 public through 26 successful shows, which featured both Chinese and international classical symphony works. Mercedes-Benz has also committed to invite 1,500 music teachers to the Weekend Concert Series throughout the year, to provide them with the opportunity to understand and share with others the beauty and wonder of the most elegant forms of art and music. Thus far, more than 700 of them have enjoyed these classical concerts.

Today's special Children's Day Concert for the handicapped and economically disadvantaged students has further extended the beneficiaries' range. "The Weekend Concert Series, launched jointly by NCPA and Mercedes-Benz, has attracted audiences from all walks of life with the beauty and power of music, and has increasing influence to the philharmonic," said Yang Jingmao, Deputy President of NCPA. "These concerts, available at an amiable price, will allow more people to learn and appreciate its beauty and importance in various art forms."

In addition to the sponsorship of the Weekend Concert Series, Mercedes-Benz has also sponsored NCPA's New Year Concert for consecutive two years, greeting best wishes to the public at the very beginning of the year. As always, Mercedes-Benz has been dedicated to promoting culture and bringing a variety of arts to the Chinese people. In October this year, Mercedes-Benz continues its commitment to society with the sponsorship of another spectacular opera performance in the Bird's Nest, Turandot, which will prove to be one of the key celebration events for the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.