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Zhang Ziyi and the donation system
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-09 07:48
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Netizens recently criticized actress Zhang Ziyi for not fulfilling her promise of donating a certain amount to help Sichuan earthquake victims. This shows China's charity system needs to be streamlined, says an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:
Soon after the May 2008 quake, Zhang Ziyi promised to pay 1 million yuan and raise $1 million to help relief efforts. But netizens' investigations have revealed that she donated only 840,000 yuan and there is no record of her foundation raising $1 million.
The Contract Law says a person cannot go back on his or her word after making a promise to donate a certain amount. So Zhang should have fulfilled her promise. On a moral level, Zhang, as one of the best known Chinese actresses, should not have made false promises.
Zhang has given a credible reason for her failure: Not all her friends who had then made promises honored them. But then she should have let professionals handle the affair.
A transparent, open and verifiable charitable system can make the process credible and transparent. It would not only save famous personalities like Zhang the blushes, but also ensure that the needy do get the help they need, as well as satisfy the public's right to know.
(China Daily 02/09/2010 page9)
