Stars swing into action to help out China quake victims

BEIJING, May 20 -- Chinese entertainment stars are opening their hearts and wallets to help victims of Sichuan's May 12 earthquake.

    Film star Zhang Ziyi has personally donated one million yuan (140,000 U.S. dollars). On her blog, the Beijing native says she will try to raise more money for earthquake victims this week in France, where she is attending the 61st Cannes Film Festival.

Hong Kong-born Jackie Chan (L) and Emperor Group chairman Albert Yeung Sau-shing have contributed 10 million yuan. Chinese entertainment stars are opening their hearts and wallets to help victims of Sichuan's May 12 earthquake.

Award-winning director Jia Zhangke's new film 24 City (Ershisi Cheng Ji), which competes in this year's Cannes, is set in Chengdu, capital of the quake-hit Sichuan province. At the film's press conference this weekend, Jia called for a moment of silence to mourn quake victims and said a relief collection will be hosted soon.

    "Every second of this film is shot in Chengdu," Jia said. "Now, it is experiencing disaster, which creates pain for everybody. I hope my work will raise more concern of the city, of China, and of Chinese people."

    Sir Run Run Shaw, the 101-year-old chairman of Hong Kong-based Television Broadcasts Ltd, has donated 100 million Hong Kong dollars (12.82 million U.S. dollars) to the relief efforts. Shaw has long been dedicated to charity and has donated more than 2.5 billion Hong Kong dollars to the mainland's education, art and medical causes.

    Hong Kong-born Jackie Chan and Emperor Group chairman Albert Yeung Sau-shing have contributed 10 million yuan. Through a video on his blog, Chan calls for more support for those in need.

Film star Zhang Ziyi (L) has personally donated one million yuan (140,000 U.S. dollars). Chinese entertainment stars are opening their hearts and wallets to help victims of Sichuan's May 12 earthquake

"The earthquake has shaken most parts of China and broken the hearts of tens of millions," he said in the video. "The sudden disaster has haunted people in the region with hurt and pain. China is facing a fierce challenge. I call upon all people to lend a hand to help them rebuild their home."

    Jet Li is attending relief efforts as a volunteer at Shifang, a county of Sichuan seriously affected by the quake. The Beijing-native's One Foundation charity has put 1 million yuan towards the disaster-hit regions. The foundation has also collected an additional 30 million yuan.

    Gong Li, currently filming Swedish director Mikael Hafstrom's Shanghai, was shocked to hear about news of the earthquake. Appointed by the United Nations this year as its Global Environmental Ambassador, the diva is now in contact with the UN trying to help victims, in addition to her personal donation of 500,000 yuan.

    Prominent Beijing native and director Feng Xiaogang, together with Hong Kong star Andy Lau, Hong Kong-based Movie Asia Entertainment Group Executive Officer Peter Lam Kin Ngok, mainland director Zhang Guoli and Huayi Brothers Media Corporation chairman Wang Zhongjun, initiated a love-in-heart alliance with Sina.com, calling for more help for victims. Feng, Wang, Zhang and Lau donated 100,000 yuan each, and Lam, 200,000 yuan.

    Taiwan director Sylvia Chang, who was promoting her latest offering Run Papa Run (Women Zheyijia) in Beijing on May 14, has decided 1 yuan from every ticket sold of her film will be donated to Sichuan.

    The donations from the stars have created a stir. While many appreciate their generosity, some doubt their sincerity.

    Writer and car racer Han Han says money does not amount to sincerity. Through his blog, he says he will not compete with other stars on the amount of money being donated. Instead of making monetary contributions, he arrived in Sichuan on May 13 to join relief efforts. Han also says on his blog locals are badly in need of water and shelter, in the form of tents. For those who want to follow in his steps, he suggests proceeding with caution - minding dangers on the road and potential disease outbreaks.