State banquet 'at the cost of charity' doubted
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-12-29 11:36

Senior officials are attempting to encourage the richer people in our country to make more donations to charity.

Liu Wenkui, deputy secretary of the China Foundation of Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), has reportedly said the organization is planning to host a charitable banquet on February 1. The tickets will vary from 1,800 yuan (US$217) to 38,000 yuan (US$4,580). All revenue will go towards training projects for poor young people to help them find work.

In line with the requirements of State banquets for honourable foreign guests, the feast will be held at the Great Hall of the People. Some 4,000 benefactors will participate.

They will have a chance to eat dinner and be photographed with senior State officials.

The original intention of raising money for a good cause cannot be denied, but holding such a banquet will mislead diners and the public as to the real purpose of charity.

Offering the chance to make contact with senior State officials is being touted as one of the banquet's attractions. Some people making efforts to get access to the banquet may still not know or care what the charitable project is for, simply wanting a chance to meet officials face to face and enjoy the same kind of treatment as high-ranking foreign officials.

Motives like these cannot but lead the public to doubt that the intention behind the donations is benevolence.

Holding this banquet will cost a great deal of money - in renting the Hall and preparing the food - so after these expenses are deducted, how much will be left for the project?

Yet this is better than nothing. After all, charity has not been given enough publicity in China, and many people do not know through what channels they can make donations.

In China, charity is still at a fledgling stage. At the very least the banquet should raise awareness about the needs of the poor.

We must complete a charity system for donors and ensure any projects are carried out in a transparent way.

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