Taipei, Jan. 27 (CNA) Taiwan's top China policy-making agency advised a Chinese billionaire to act in a moral manner after the tycoon embarked upon a high-profile and controversial philanthropic trip Thursday during which he plans to donate up to NT$500 million (US$17.22 million) to Taiwan's needy.
Chinese philanthropist Chen Guangbiao gave away NT$6.7 million-worth of "red envelopes" that day in the northern county of Hsinchu, the first stop of his philanthropic trip, to local disadvantaged families, in cooperation with the county government.
The 43-year-old is known for carrying out highly publicized philanthropic trips around China, using the schtick of a piled-up "wall of banknotes" that he then hands out. He has been quoted as saying that he likes to make donations in a high-profile manner because he hopes his actions will be recognized by the public and will inspire people to carry out acts of philanthropy of their own.
"The way Chen conducts his philanthropy has caused challenges for both the government and the underprivileged, " Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Minister Liu Te-hsun said in a press briefing.
Chen has not violated any laws, though, so there is no way for the government to interfere in the matter, he said, adding that the underprivileged will have to decide for themselves whether or not accepting his cash will cause them to lose their dignity.
"We will certainly condemn Chen's behavior if his trip is found to come with any political motive, " Liu said.
Liu's comment came after Chen was stopped by several poor people begging for cash during his trip to Hsinchu.
Such behavior of the local poor, as well as the extensive media coverage and involvement of local governments in Chen's stunt, have all made the trip controversial. Some Taiwanese county governments and opposition party officials have voiced opposition to his donation plans in Taiwan, raising concern that his high-profile donation manner might hurt the recipients' feelings or dignity.
Meanwhile, Chen's cancellation of his business itinerary that morning also raised doubts, because he was granted entry to Taiwan as a business professional and was supposed to participate in business activities during his stay under the regulations governing cross-strait travel.
Chen is scheduled to visit the central county of Nantou and the eastern county of Hualien during the remainder of his trip. (By Chris Wang) ENDITEM/J