With its recent donation of 709,000 yuan (about $104,600) made in late October, Marriott International hopes to aid others in seeking a better future and to promote "positive energy" that inspires good virtues across society, said one of its managers.

Pan Xiaoying, general manager of Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel, made the remarks at the 2016 Marriott North China Charity Gala Dinner, which took place at her hotel on Oct 21. Renaissance is one of the brands of the US-headquartered hospitality group.

The annual event was part of the Marriott Yao Foundation Hope Project, initiated by Marriott International and former NBA star Yao Ming.

"Through the charity dinner, we expect to raise funds to build new schools for children living in poor areas of China and to help them to achieve their dreams," Yao said in a video shown during the event.

More than 400 people attended the gala, including entrepreneurs, suppliers of items for auction and managers of Marriott International, with 1920s-themed decorations and retro costumes.

Discount flight tickets and hotel stays, watches, wines, paintings and embroidery were on live and silent auction from six to nine in the evening, along with a dinner, dance performance and lucky draw.

"The fund will be used for the construction of Hope Primary Schools for children aged from 6 to 14 in the poor areas," Pan said.

Painter Huang Junjie sold one of his Chinese ink and wash paintings depicting two eagles standing on the cliff for 3,500 yuan, compared with its estimated market price of 15,000 yuan.

"An eagle is the symbol of ambition, which may inspire the entrepreneurs' fighting will," Huang said. "No matter how much it was sold for, I was happy that I could help."

Based in Bethesda, Maryland in the United States, Marriott International now has more than 5,700 properties in over 110 countries and regions.

Since 2013, the hotel group has donated 7.5 million yuan to the Yao Foundation for building three Hope Primary Schools in Southwest China's Sichuan and Guizhou provinces, Pan said.

"Putting people first and the spirit to serve our community have always been part of Marriott International's core values."

Chen Meiling contributed to this story.

(China Daily 11/05/2016 page10)