China's most high-profile philanthropist Chen Guangbiao has handed out food, money and other daily necessities and rescued three people from debris after he arrived in Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami. He received praise as well as criticism for the publicity tied to his charitable acts.

Chen, president of Jiangsu Huangpu Renewable Resources Co, and 12 other volunteers arrived in Japan last Friday night, only hours after the massive earthquake and tsunami swept through part of Japan. Chen brought 13 million yen (US$158,817) to give away, Yangtze Evening News reported yesterday.

He rented four vehicles, brought water, bread, quilts and sanitary products from six supermarkets. The goods were distributed to people in three major shelters in Chiba Prefecture, Chen told the newspaper.

Wearing a Red Cross badge and two Chinese national flag stickers on his chest, Chen said he didn't only represent himself. He also brought with him Chinese people's care. All trucks transporting the goods were covered with Chinese flags.

Chen so far has donated 2 million yen to money boxes on the streets. "I also put my name card in the box to let them know the donor is a Chinese," Chen said.

Chen was seen carrying a woman from a collapsed building in a picture posted on his microblog on t.sina.com.cn on March 13.

Chen and other volunteers also saved a man and his son from their house that was ruined by the tsunami, the report said.

Chen has been to Chiba, Ibaraki and Fukushima prefectures, and also plans to go to Sendai and Miyagi, the Guangzhou-based Information Times reported.

Chen's philanthropy was praised by some members of the online community but criticized by others. Xiaohanguantou said: "Chen is a good example for all Chinese people."

Others accused Chen of stirring up media hype and questioned why he went to Japan instead of Yingjiang County in Yunnan Province, which was struck by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake last Thursday.

Chen said he had donated 200,000 yuan (US$30,443) to quake-hit Yunnan.