Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE) ("Yingli Green Energy" or the "Company"), a solar energy company and one of the world's largest vertically integrated photovoltaic ("PV") manufacturers, which markets its products under the brand "Yingli Solar," announced the hosting of the very first "Yingli Cup" in Beijing, China. As an Official Premium Partner of FC Bayern Munchen, Yingli Green Energy is proud to bring the official team to China for this match between FC Bayern Munchen, one of the most successful football clubs in the world, and Beijing Guoan, one of the most popular football clubs in China. "Yingli Cup" was appointed as part of the official activities for the Fortieth Anniversary of Sino-German Diplomatic Relations. The match will be held on July 24th, 2012 at Workers Stadium in Beijing.
Since Yingli Green Energy's sponsorship announcement of the FIFA World Cup in 2010, Yingli Green Energy has continued its football marketing strategies with the sponsorships of FC Bayern Munchen, FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil and US Soccer. The Company established many industry firsts, including being the first Chinese company and the first renewable energy company in history to ever sponsor these marketing platforms. With the announcement of "Yingli Cup" in China, Yingli Solar marks yet another first in football and renewable energy history. "Yingli Cup" is the very first football match in China hosted by a Chinese renewable energy company. "Yingli Cup" will take place in the Beijing Workers Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on July 24th, 2012 where FC Bayern Munchen will play against Beijing Guoan. During the week in China, the fans will also be able to meet with FC Bayern Munchen official team players.
"Yingli Cup has become one of the official activities for the Fortieth Anniversary of Sino-German Diplomatic Relations. As the only Chinese and the only renewable energy sponsor of FC Bayern Munchen, Yingli is proud to host our friends in China, home of Yingli Solar," said Mr. Liangsheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy. "We are excited that the Chinese fans will be able to enjoy and watch live a match between two of the most popular teams this summer in Beijing. We are also honored to be utilizing our global marketing platforms not only to contribute to diplomatic relationships between China and Germany but also to give back to the community."
Mr. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Chairman of the Executive Board of FC Bayern Munchen said, "As an international club, FC Bayern Munchen is honored to have our first Chinese and first renewable energy company, Yingli Solar, as part of the FC Bayern Munchen family. Together with FC Bayern Munchen's knowledge in football and Yingli Solar's expertise in renewable energy, we are not only looking forward to enhancing the development of football in China. We also look forward to combining our love for football and for the environment in improving society and protecting the planet we inhabit. This match against Beijing Guoan is not only a very important part of the preparation phase of FC Bayern Munchen for the next season, it is also a big step for FC Bayern Munchen's international development in important countries such as China."
"Thanks for all the efforts that Yingli contributed to this activity. We are very happy to be able to come to China and play a match against one of China's most prestigious teams, Beijing Guoan. We are also proud to have Yingli, a Chinese company and a renewable energy company, as one of our sponsors. It is very important for FC Bayern Munchen, an international club, to establish further presence into important markets such as China. We thank Yingli Solar for giving us the opportunity. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Workers Stadium on the 24th of July." said Mr. Paul Breitner, Brand Ambassador of FC Bayern Munchen.
"We are pleased to play against FC Bayern Munchen, which is one of the most popular football clubs in the world. It is also a good opportunity for us to learn and exchange football knowledge with one of the world's top football clubs," said Mr. Lu Zhang, Vice Chairman of Beijing Guoan Football Club.
"Yingli Cup in China is only one of a series of matches Yingli will host," said Mrs. Judy Tzeng Lee, Director of Global Marketing and Development of Yingli Green Energy. "We are always looking for ways to better utilize our marketing platforms that could allow us to influence positive social change. That said, we look forward to hosting more matches in order to bring the passion of football closer to the fans."
"Winoly, as the operator and promoter of Yingli Cup, is excited to work with Yingli. Yingli became the first Chinese company to sponsor 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil following its successful 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa sponsorship. These moves made the Company famous in the world of sports marketing," said Mr. Shuyan Wang, President of Beijing Winoly International Sports Culture Company Limited. "FC Bayern Munchen and Beijing Guoan are both very successful football clubs in their countries, and we believe this very first 'Yingli Cup' fits perfectly with the brand concept for Yingli. As an international sports company, we are honored to gather all the parties together and have full confidence on the success of this year's Yingli Cup. We believe this is an excellent start for us to cooperate with Yingli."
