A charity gala with an all-star cast was held in Beijing on September 8, to raise funds for orphan projects run by the China Charity Federation.

The proceeds will be directly used nationwide to construct computer classrooms inside welfare homes, thus enabling indigent children to have access to the Internet.

The charity auction lasted for 3 hours and gleaned around 7.54 million yuan (about US$1million).

Launched by Bazaar magazine, one of China's most widely circulated avant-garde vogue publications, the fundraising gala gathered together nearly 350 well-known Chinese movie and sport stars, TV hosts, entrepreneurs and other social elites at the China World Hotel.

Donations auctioned at the gala mainly included clothing, accessories and works of art from the world's leading brands, such as Gucci, Dior and Louis Vuitton, as well as other influential artists and designers.

The top bid of the night went to a large-scale oil painting donated by renowned artist Zeng Hao. Yu Dong, the General Manager of Beijing Polybona Film Distribution Company, purchased it for 2.88 million yuan.

At the gala, the top 10 charity awards were awarded to TV host Yang Lan, actresses Zhang Ziyi, Zhou Xun, Zhao Wei, Li Bingbing and Fan Bingbing, along with the actors Chen Kun, Huang Xiaoming, Wu Ruofu and Li Yapeng.

Yang Lan in particular has been playing a big part in charitable deeds. She and her husband founded the Sun Culture Foundation in Hong Kong last year, holding a successful charity ball to raise funds for the Shanghai Special Olympics Committee.

"I think everyone can do their bit for charity without setting a boundary. Today's star-studded gathering is just one of the ways. There are many other ways to help out, such as volunteering. Not only people with an altruistic mind can do that, but anyone with self-esteem can do this sort of work and bring about happiness and satisfaction."

Yang said that a series of charitable programs concerning education would be expanded upon by her foundation in upcoming years.

Well-known actor Lu Yi and his wife Bao Lei, who attended the gala for the first time, also expressed their willingness to engage in charitable deeds.

"I don't think we should expect anything for donating money. If you are able to help an underprivileged group, you should try your best to help them,"Lu said.

"I was very happy after doing my bit to help people in need. I think celebrities' participation in charity is a good thing, it enables more people to learn about a charity from the media and then they can also join in the activity," Bao said.

This is the 5th consecutive year that the charity dinner has been held. With the slogan of "Let Charity Become Fashion", the event calls on more celebrities to encourage people of means to provide assistance to needy groups. Last year, 5.85 million yuan was raised at the party and given to a UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) program.

Besides the fundraising gala, Bazaar magazine collaborated with Taobao.com to hold an online auction over the past two weeks.

This year, Bazaar magazine also joined forces with a hundred stars and entrepreneurs to submit a proposal to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs to apply for a "China Charity Day".

Bazaar magazine, published by Beijing-based Trends magazine, works in cooperation with the US affiliate, Harper's Bazaar magazine. They both offer a variety of information on current lifestyle trends and fashion designs for women.

(CRIENGLISH.com September 10, 2007)