HONG KONG - Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh was honoured on Saturday at a fundraiser for amfAR, the Foundation for Aids Research, attended by a galaxy of both Hollywood and Asian stars.

The first amfAR fund-raising event in Hong Kong raised over US$2 million (S$2.79 million) following an auction of ceramics, paintings, jewellry and experiences with celebrities, Variety magazine reported.

Yeoh was recognised for her contributions to the global struggle against HIV/Aids at the event hosted by Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow, with Hong Kong businesswoman Pansy Ho acting as the fundraiser chair.

Also at the gala held at the Shaw Studios were Victoria Beckham, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and fashion designers Kenneth Cole and Vivienne Tam, as well as Wendi Deng, the ex-wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Hong Kong celebrities present included Carina Lau, Rosamund Kwan, Alex To, Wyman Wong and Leung Chai Yan, who is the daughter of Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun Ying.

From South Korea came singer Jessica Jung and rapper T.O.P.

A painting, Friend, by Chinese artist Jia Ali, was the single most expensive item, selling for US$550,000, reported Variety.

After four bidders agreed to pay US$250,000 each to spend a day with Leonardo DiCaprio at a benefit event in St Tropez in July, the auctioneers expanded the offer from one day to four.

Robin Thicke performed five songs including his Blurred Lines, which a jury last week said was plagiarised from a Marvin Gaye song.