Why these Chinese celebrities were shamed for Henan flood relief donations, and why others were praised – charitable efforts from C-pop’s Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo to Hong Kong’s Angelababy
- As rescue efforts continue in Zhengzhou, Henan, over 100 A-listers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan have donated millions
- Former member of K-pop boy band Exo, Huang Zitao, donated 3 million yuan, but which stars didn’t donate ‘enough’ according to fans?
Torrential rains that battered Henan province, China, over the weekend of July 17 have displaced over a million people and resulted in almost two billion yuan (US$308 million) of damage, NPR and Reuters reported respectively.
The heaviest rainfall on record in central China submerged entire neighbourhoods, trapped passengers in subway cars, caused landslides and overwhelmed dams and rivers. Rescue and recovery efforts continue as at least 33 people have died and eight remain missing in and around the capital of Zhengzhou, according to various media reports.
More than 100 celebrities from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong have come forward to help, making donations ranging from 100,000 to three million yuan (US$15,000 to US$460,000) for flood relief efforts
A native of Luoyang in Henan province, actor-singer Wang Yibo not only joined other celebrities in making donations, but he also personally made a trip to Henan province with the Han Hong Love Charity Foundation, Bandwagon reported. Wang was spotted distributing supplies and helping locals.
Celebrity power couples did not lag in their donation efforts either. Actors Deng Chao and Sun Li, Zhang Jie and Xie Na, Wu Qilong and Liu Shishi, and concert pianist Lang Lang and his wife Gina, each donated 1 million yuan to support relief efforts.
