The Chinese mainland's most famous philanthropist went to Taiwan Wednesday with 110 million yuan (about 17.2 million U.S. dollars, or about 500 million new Taiwan dollars) to be used for charitable donations.

Chen Guangbiao (center), one of the mainland's most prominent philanthropists, arrives on Thursday at a charity event in Hsinchu, a county in northern Taiwan. [Photo/China Daily]

Chen Guangbiao was joined by more than 50 other mainland businessmen in the charity tour.

"I named the team 'Thanksgiving Team,' and named the tour 'Thanksgiving Tour,' because, in the past, Taiwan compatriots had helped the Chinese mainland's compatriots when any disaster happened," said Chen, 43, CEO of a resources recycling company in eastern Jiangsu Province.

"I want to deliver a message that disaster is not horrible, difficulties are temporary, and we are all a family. Any difficulties can be conquered when we love each other and help each other," he said.

Chen's week-long Taiwan tour includes donations of the 500 million New Taiwan dollars to disadvantaged families in New Taipei City and Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Nantou, among other counties, as well as business talks with local companies and a visit to the flora expo and other landmarks.

He was in the limelight last September when he responded to billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, who hosted a banquet in Beijing to promote charitable giving.

Chen said in an online open letter that he would "donate all my wealth to charity when I leave this world" and "it is a shame to die hoarding one's wealth."

Fan Liqing, spokeswoman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, praised Chen's charity donation Wednesday at a regular press conference.

"Although the ancient saints taught us to do good things without notifying others, we should be tolerant of Chen's move to let others know about his welldoing," she said.

Compatriots from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have helped each other after disasters, she said. "There are Taiwan businessmen who offered financial aid to mainland needy students."

"Welldoing is good and should be encouraged, no matter where it happens," she said.