Chen Guangbiao, President of Jiangsu Huangpu Renewable Resources, made headlines in January 2011 when he gave out red envelopes stuffed with money to those in need in Taiwan, and again in March when he handed out cash to survivors of earthquake-stricken Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province. The posed photos of Chen along with earthquake survivors holding up cash have sparked a wave of controversy among the public. In the photo, Chen was cheerful, while some recipients of his donations were expressionless as if they were reluctant to be photographed. 

Xu Yongguang, Secretary General of the Narada Foundation, labeled Chen's actions as "violent charity," as he sacrificed the dignity of recipients to meet his own need to boast. People debate whether Chen's high-profile way of doing charity is feasible. Those in favor say that Chen's behavior will set a good example in inspiring more wealthy people to donate and will promote China's charitable organizations. However, critics believe Chen is showing off and stripping the recipients of their dignity. Charity should be conducted through professional organizations. The result of direct cash handouts may foster laziness in recipients and make them even poorer. 

FOR

Li Honggang

Editor in Chief of Chinese Businessmen magazine

In my view, Chen's charity is questioning the problems existing in charity, like the rigid management system, inefficiency of philanthropic foundations, and no transparency on where the donated money has been spent. I have received many letters from entrepreneurs saying they don't trust any charities and would rather donate personally. If more people give charity in the mode of Chen, it will push private charity foundations in China to be more accountable and transparent.

Apart from handing out his own money, Chen was also entrusted to directly give money to the needy by other entrepreneurs. Why does he have the trust of other entrepreneurs and the private charity foundations don't? Those foundations should seriously think about it. Moreover, the reason why people feel disrespected is the widening gap between the rich and the poor, not because Chen donates money.

Wang Shichuan

Cri.cn

I also agree that it is necessary to show respect to the recipients when people donate money. What Chen has done indeed ignores this, but we can't blot out the positive significance of his deeds.

Chen should be praised for many reasons. For example, he advocates all-out donation, which means contributing all of one's money to society.

Chen's direct giving also reflects the untrustworthiness of some charitable organizations due to lack of transparency. It is also a bottleneck for the maturity of China's charity sector. In my view, rather than questioning Chen's approach, the charitable organizations should find out why they can't be trusted.

Mao Jianguo

Chinanews.com

I think people should not criticize Chen's charitable efforts. As long as one gives and helps the needy, we shouldn't scrutinize how they do it.

To be a philanthropist, one should be financially independent and free to give money to whomsoever they choose. Chen has done better than many other rich people in choosing to donate. Many very wealthy people keep a very low profile. They do not reveal how much money they have, and don't donate to charity. If all the wealthy people act like this, the society will be a very cold place. It is Chen's high-profile way of donating that shows how China's charitable sector has developed and also the challenges that still remain. China is a country where natural disasters frequently happen. Many families need to be helped to weather the storm. So Chen's behavior is a good example, inspiring more wealthy people into participating in charity.