Li Yundi, the youngest winner of the International Chopin Piano Competition and one of China's top pianists, will give a charity piano recital in Beijing next month for individuals and companies who have contributed to the efforts of the Red Cross Society of China this year, and also for the organization's employees.

The recital on January 11th is an initiative of the Red Cross Society of China and the Chinese Red Cross Foundation, with the China Automobile Trading Corporation sponsoring the event.

Li Yundi, who won the International Chopin Piano Competition at the age of 18, said that he is taking part in the event in order to play a part in charitable work in China.

"Charity is just like music which comes from deep inside my heart. I can express my love for society and my country through my fingers, just like Chopin did," he told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.

The organizers explained that the tickets are not for sale as it is really hard to put a price tag on a performance by Li Yundi and his contribution to charity.

"Not only domestic donors will be invited, but also foreign donors such as the US Embassy and other embassies in Beijing which contacted us immediately after the earthquake in Gansu," Hao Linna, Vice President of the Red Cross Society of China, said at the press conference.

During the recital, Li will be honored as the Music Ambassador of the Chinese Red Cross Foundation.

This is the first time that Li Yundi is working with the Red Cross Society of China, and both sides said they would be happy to work together on more initiatives.