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Rich philanthropists 'acting in poor taste'

China Daily, March 25, 2011

Which way is best?

Wang Shi, the chairman of real estate giant Vanke, took a flood of criticism for saying a donation of 2 million yuan after the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan was "feasible" for his company and "donations should not become burdens". The huge company later apologized for his comments and donated an additional 100 million yuan.

There are wrong ways to donate and good ways. Maybe. It depends on who is judging. Even scholars of charity issues have different views.

"The unusual, high-profile manner of doing charity among Chinese billionaires appears kind of backward," said Deng Guosheng, deputy director of the Nongovernmental Organization Research Center at Tsinghua University. Deng said the key problem with Chen Guangbiao's direct handouts lies in its inefficiency.

"His cash may not help the most needy ones. Instead, it can foster laziness in recipients, which leads to worse poverty. The most significant thing a charitable action embodies is to help people to help themselves."

And that, he said, calls for wisdom among donors.

Cheng, the Research Center professor, has a slightly different view. "Basically Chen's behavior is a good example, inspiring the rich to donate money, although the manner employed in the process of donating needs to be regulated more professionally."

Cheng also said that direct giving to the needy also reflects the untrustworthiness of some charitable organizations due to lack of transparency on the Chinese mainland. "In Taiwan, where charitable organizations have developed generally into maturity, Chen Guangbiao still sticks to his way of doing charity, which seems improper." Cheng said.

Wang Zhenyao, dean of One Foundation Philanthropy Research Institute of Beijing Normal University, is OK with Chen's approach.

He said the wealthy people of China are demanding more participation in charities and better management of them, which will help the charity sector mature. "It also indicates we need more diverse and more individualized donating forms."

Wang said the public ought to view this issue in its many dimensions. "It is quite natural that various presentations emerge in the development of charity. We have no definite way of doing good to others. No matter what the way is, the outcome appears beneficial."