The HK Phil.

Shortly before the Swire China Conference, the group hosted gala classical music events in Beijing and Shanghai, taking the opportunity to say thank-you to business partners and stakeholders for their continuing support for Swire's development on the Mainland.

"Swire Night in Beijing" was staged at The Orange at Taikoo Li Sanlitun on 22nd October, as part of the 19th Beijing Music Festival, sponsored by Swire Properties. Nearly 200 guests attended and enjoyed a selection of classical favourites performed by The Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra. "Swire Night in Shanghai" took place on 24th October at the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, led by world-renowned conductor, Jaap van Zweden, flew in especially to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of Swire – the orchestra's principal patron and a long-term partner – giving a spectacular performance with a touch of Chinese flavour that included the popular Chinese classics The Wandering Songstress and Fragrance of the Night. The event was attended by members of the Swire family, government officials, business leaders and senior Swire executives, as well as students from schools in Shanghai and participants in Cathay Pacific's 'I Can Fly' and Cathay Dragon's Youth Aviation Training Camp programmes.