Chinese kungfu movie superstar, Jet Li, has recently published
the accounts of his charity, the One Foundation, amid rumors he had
embezzled large amounts of donated money.
Jet Li told Beijing-based newspaper The First that
about 6 million yuan, or over US$792,000 has been raised since the
charity fund was launched in mid April. The money came from 350,000
donors, through bank and postal remittance, cash donation and
mobile phone SMS text messages. An additional 45 people donated
online using foreign currencies.
The martial-arts film star has persuaded celebrities from the
entertainment and sport industries to become permanent volunteers
of the organization. The big names include Andy Lau, Jay Chou, Ang
Lee and Chow Yun-Fat.
Jackie Chan, another Chinese martial-arts mega star, has
accepted Jet Li's invitation to take on the position as honorary
director-general of the fund.
There have been two major payouts on the accounts of the
foundation. On June 4, 100,000 yuan (US$13,200 ) was donated to
earthquake-hit citizens in southwestern Yunnan province. On July
15, one million yuan (US$132,000) went to a project helping youth
who have mental health problems.
To Jet Li's disappointment, rumors about his embezzlement of the
charity have cropped up ever since the establishment of his
foundation.
Jet Li, also the Red Cross ambassador, argued in earlier reports
it's simply not worthy risking his fame to commit such a crime.
(CRIENGLISH.com July 21, 2007)
