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 China's
new generation of industrialists and entrepreneurs banded together yesterday
to launch a symbolic anti-Sars campaign.
The event was unprecedented,given that the Communist Party still frowns
on public gatherings which it has not sponsored.
With the beating of drums,more than 500 people gathered for the launch
of the "China Spirit Campaign" at the foot of the Great Wall in Badaling.
Those present included property developer Pan Shiyi,magazine publisher
Hong Huang and internet tycoon Charles Zhang.
"Sars has caused major panic and the impact has been huge,"said Zhang
Xin,Pan shiyi's wife and co-CEO of Soho China.
"The media has reported this panic all around the world-news of the government's
slow reaction and news of farmers blocking highways from Beijing.But in
a nation of 1.2 billion,this does not represent everyone.
"We're a nation of 5,000 years of history and we have national spirit.We
must band together against Sars."
So far,the group has raised more than a million yuan(HK$942,000) from more
than 100 business groups. Much of the money will go towards the education
of orphans left behind by doctors and nurses who have given their lives
in the fight against Sars.
Every Saturday afternoon until the World Health Organisation declares
Beijing a Sars-free zone, the group plans to host a kite-flying ceremony
on the Great Wall and in 28 parks in the capital.
The group also hopes to reach out to other people in Hong Kong and in
overseas Chinese communities to offer support in fighting the potentially
long-lasting impact of the Sars outbreak.
Sandra Mak,a Hong Kongbased public relations consultant working on the
project,said she was amazed to see so many Chinese entrepreneurs united
in the cause.
"This is the first time the private sector has banded together in
the face of a crisis in China,"said Ms Mak."This is a sign of
an increasingly powerful group and they're willing to contribute.This
is a new generation in China.
"The future of our country is dependent on the healthy growth of this
private force."
Besides Soho China,private firms that have pledged money to the campaign
include sina.com,sohu.com,software developer Yongyou,property developer
Sunshine 100 and publisher Timeout Beijing.
A large number of foreign multinationals and state-owned enterprises have
also chipped in ,including accounting firm Ernst &Young,broadband provider
China Netcom and investigative financial magazine Caijing.
Besides hosting kite-flying events and giving money to orphans the group
is hosting a website,Chinaspirit.com.cn,to reach out to communities throughout
China and the world.
"Private entrepreneurs feel that they need to come out and showcase China,"Ms
Mak said.
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