Beijing, March 2, 2006 - Shangri-La's Kerry Centre Hotel, Beijing hosted the BHP Billiton Special Olympics Charity Dinner with Eddie Jones and Glen Ella, supported by Kerry Sports and Qantas. The two legendary Rugby figures joined more than 150 athletes, coaches and sponsors at the event. All the proceeds, which reached RMB50,000 were donated to Special Olympics. The check was handed to two Special Olympics athletes Yang Yan and Li Bo by Clinton Dines, President of BHP Billiton China and Darren Gearing, General Manager of Shangri-La's Kerry Centre Hotel.

The dinner event featured Eddie Jones and Glen Ella as the special guest speakers. Outstanding Special Olympics athletes from China as well as representatives from China Rugby association participated in the event.

(l-r) Darren Gearing, Glen Ella, Li Bo, Yang Yan, Clinton Dines and Eddie Jones

Kerry Sports, BHP Billiton and Qantas Airways combined to bring Eddie Jones and Glen Ella to Beijing for a series of events in early March and selected Special Olympics as the charity of choice for the charity dinner on March 2.

"BHP Billiton sees the Special Olympics as a very worthy cause," said Mr. Clinton Dines, President of BHP Billiton China. "We are delighted to be able to lend our support to this kind of community event in China."

"We are proud to join as one of the sponsors", General Manager of the Hotel Mr. Darren Gearing commented, " It is a great opportunity to meet with great people and to spread the vision of Special Olympics. Many thanks to all the parties who have worked together to make this happen."

"It was natural for Qantas to be a sponsor of this charity event held in Beijing as we had just launched our Beijing-Sydney direct flights at the beginning of this year . The Qantas Rugby Long Luncheon organized the next day on March 3 was also an opportune platform for us to further bridge the gap between such sporting greats and the community in China," said Nick McGlynn, Manager of Eastern China for Qantas.