The sons of the Dragon return to China

After three months in Europe, , the first Chinese sailors who have participated in an ’s Cup have returned to their country. Zhu Xinli, president of Huiyuan Juice and first Chinese sponsor of the event and of the team had prepared for their return in the company of Li Quanhai, secretary general of the Chinese Yachting Association (CYA) and Wang Chao Yong, China-Team director. A press conference took place in Peking, the company headquarters.

Zhu Xinli, president of Huiyuan Juice : « I am very proud to have been the first Chinese sponsor in the America's Cup and the first official chinese of China-Team. The participation of China-Team in Cup is proof of the economic development in China. Now we have a boat which I find magnificient with its dragon in the water. I was interviewed by a Spanish journalist who asked why I would sponsor China Team. I responded to her that China Team was a Chinese team which was in need of Chinese support. I sincerely think, that after Huiyuan Juice, other Chinese companies are going to participate in the project. I took the decision to sponsor this team in one week, it was very short. But it is only the beginning and we are going to go far together with China-Team ».

Wang Chao Yong, China-Team head of syndicate : « For the next Cup, we are going to try and put together between 50 and 80 euros. I am going to try to create a stronger team, around 90 people. For the 33nd edition of the Cup, I am aiming for a team in the middle of the board and for the 34th a team capable to get to the semi-finals. Besides, ACM has announced if we participate in the next edition, one Act will be organized in 2009 in China.»

Li Quanhai, Chinese Yachting Association general secretary : « I appreciate very much the work done by China-Team. I would like to thank first of all the work the Chinese sailors for their efforts also especially thank Wang Chao Yong from the whole association for his key role of within this team. My thoughts are of course also of Zhu Xinli, whose participation as the first Chinese sponsor has given a new dimension to the team. In supporting China-Team, Huiyuan Juice has shown to be an example to all the large Chinese companies. It is a big event in China. A team in the America's Cup isn't one company nor one person. It is a collective work which makes up: a sporting team, a logistical team, a technical team, a marketing team, a communication team... The participation of Huiyuan Juice is the proof that the Chinese companies have discovered and understood the America's Cup.This is the reason that ACM supports us and the French part of China-Team is also very happy to work with us together. This first participation of a Chinese company is the symbol of a new page that has turned in the history of international sailing. »

Léo/LH
Valencia May 14 2007