U2 are coming, Maria Carey is coming, Beyonce is coming and so are the Destiny's Child... The NBA will stage an incredible match between Yao Ming's Rockets and O'neal's Miami Heat... This is news definitely set to thrill.

They are all coming to help in the building of a vocational education system in China.

Last Wednesday, the National Association of Vocational Education of China, China's Poly Culture & Art Co Ltd and Atlanta Sun Group International signed a contract to launch a series of cultural and sporting events between July and October to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Wennuan Project(Warmth Project )running in Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and Chongqing.

The Wennuan Project, meaning warmth in Chinese, was started by the National Association of Vocational Education of China in January 1995 to raise funds to help laid-off workers in cities and surplus rural workers to get jobs.

"I am glad to get the opportunity to contribute to China's job education programs and to bring some wonderful events to millions of Chinese people," said Willie C. Williams, managing partner of the US-based Sun Group International from Atlanta.

"We live in a world with a very uncertain future. But one thing is certain, without education and job training, you will have an uncertain future," said Williams.

"We hope these cultural and sports events will raise the public's awareness of the importance of vocational education. China's Wennuan Project needs funds and support in various forms," added Williams.

Li Nan, general manager of Poly Culture & Art Co Ltd also said he was looking forward to the collaboration. "Poly is always willing to be involved in projects which are in the public interest. We value highly the contract with Sun Group. This will not be simply a few performances or games, but an event with great social influence."

The co-operation between Sun Group International and the National Association of Vocational Education of China was initiated last December when Xiong Jian, vice-director of the association visited Atlanta to conduct research on job training in the United States.

Other collaborative projects between Sun Group and the association include the First Seminar on China's Vocational Education, to be held in Chongqing in October and a national survey of the situation and standard of the country's vocational training.

The National Association of Vocational Education of China was founded in May 1917 when the country was in turmoil and many people were out of work.

Many revolutionaries during the struggle to establish New China believed passionately that the only way to revitalize the nation was through education. To this end, many vocational schools and projects were established.

(CRI.com March 22, 2005)