The Diamonds in the Sky Hong Kong charity event, held Tuesday at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Hong Kong, raised over $2.5 million for the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) and the China Charity Federation (CCF), which benefits China’s needy.



Dr. Henry Cheng, vice-chairman of the Chow Tai Fook retail jewelry group, and Diamond Trading Company CEO Varda Shine spoke at the opening of the event. A live auction – with lots that included Chow Tai Fook diamond jewelry – brought in $700,000.



CCF Vice President Li Bengong said that in addition to raising funds, the Diamonds in the Sky event would “sustain the traditional Chinese culture of helping others,” and Russell Simmons of the DEF expressed his organization’s appreciation to Chow Tai Fook for the jewelry company’s sponsorship of the fundraiser.