This is not an old news, it actually just happened last week which is the earthquake in Ya-an, Si chuan, China. I search the News online, and most of the news are talking about the number of injured and dead people, what is the reaction of government and president. Moreover, the most popular topic when natural disaster happened – the donation.
Right now, according to News, there are 200 people who can be injured, missing or dead in the area. The action of rescuing is still going on. There is no detail about the exact lost. What is clear is the donation from everywhere. For example, Apple donate 8 millions, google donate 5 millions, and there is even a chart list out the donation from celebrities, politician in descending order. I also read an article stated that in China, a natural disease has became a show for politician and celebrities to gain their popularity, and a competition to compete who donate more. This is also a tough decision for them to make, because if they donate too much, people accuse them for flaunting wealth or questioning their purpose. If the donate not enough, people accuse them less of compassion. For example, in previous earthquake in 2008, wenchuan, Si chuan, international companies like Sungsang, LG, and other Korean companies did not have much action on donating for victim in Sichuan. As a result, people refused to use their product as a temptation.
The thing that may be omissions in the News can be Chinese citizens’ negative thoughts towards donation and public charity – Red Cross. Few days after the earthquake, I kept seeing the post from my friend complaining about the donation, and also there is comic talking about donation. Since I was young, I can feel how “generous” we try to be. Every single incident occur inside China or other countries that need helps, even when I am in primary school, we will be asked for donation in school. Moreover, the donation is not like giving the change in your pocket to them, it is letting us to go home and ask our parent to pay. Back when I was in primary school, about 15 years ago, I remembered every time my parent will give me one hundred RMB dollars that are about $12.5. Remember, I am primary school student in 1998, and to be honest, there are people who donate more. Donation has been a trend in China. People do want to help people, but what upset them is, the donations seem never stop. Government keeps giving loan to other countries, and removes the debt of some countries with our taxes. Once there is incident happened, we have to donate from our pocket again. They are just frustrated of paying over and over when they are not particularly the rich one.
One more thing is the public charity – Red Cross. In other countries, Red Cross is control by private sector, but in China, it is controlled by out government. However, some incidents show the ugly side of it. Red Cross has lost our trust, but if foreigners know about this? During 2008, the earthquake in Wenchuan, Red Cross receive total of 10 millions donation for purchasing tents in stricken area. However, they only purchase 1000 tents, so each tent will be worth 10 thousand dollars? The voice of questioning if donation is embezzled raise all over China. Since then, more and more scandals like accepting bribes and ridiculous expenses of member in Red Cross charity are found by people. How can people still donate without doubting if the money really is going to the stricken are and help the people in need?