Actor Lu Yi (R) and his wife Bao Lei attend the charity gala held in Beijing on September 8, 2007, to raise funds for orphan projects run by the China Charity Federation.

A charity gala with an all-star cast was held in Beijing on Saturday night, to raise funds for orphan projects run by the China Charity Federation.

The proceeds will be directly used nationwide for the building of computer classrooms in welfare homes, enabling them to have access to the internet.

The charity auction on the night lasted for 3 hours and collected around 7.54 million yuan, about one million US dollars.

Launched by Bazaar Magazine, one of China's most widely circulated avant-garde vogue publications, the fundraising gala gathered together nearly 350 well-known Chinese movie and sport stars, TV hosts, entrepreneurs and other social elites at the China World Hotel.

Donations auctioned at the gala mainly included clothing, accessories and art works from the world's leading brands like Gucci, Dior and Louis Vuitton, as well as influential artists and designers.

The top bid of the night went to a large-scale oil painting donated by well-known artist Zeng Hao. It was bought by Yu Dong, the General manager of Beijing Polybona Film Distribution Company, for 2.88 million yuan.

At the gala, the top 10 charity awards were awarded to TV host Yang Lan, actresses Zhang Ziyi, Zhou Xun, Zhao Wei, Li Bingbing and Fan Bingbing, along with the actors Chen Kun, Huang Xiaoming, Wu Ruofu and Li Yapeng.

Yang Lan in particular has been playing a big part in charitable deeds. She and her husband founded the Sun Culture Foundation in Hong Kong last year, holding a successful charity ball to raise funds for the Shanghai Special Olympics Committee.

"I think everyone can do their bit for charity with no limit. Today's star-studded gathering is just one of the ways. There are many other ways to help out, like being a volunteer. Not only people with an altruistic mind can do that, anyone with self-esteem can do this sort of work and bring about happiness and satisfaction."

She said a series of charitable programs concerning education will be further carried out by her foundation in the next few years.

Well-known actor Lu Yi and his wife Bao Lei, who attended the gala for the first time, also expressed their willingness to engage in charitable deeds.

""I don't think we should expect anything for donating money. If you are able to help an underprivileged group, you should try your best to help them", Lu Yi said.

"I was very happy after doing my bit to help people in need. I think a celebrities' participation in charity is good, it enables more people to learn about it from the media and join in the activity", Bao Lei said.

This is the 5th consecutive year that the charity dinner has been held. With the slogan of "Let Charity Become Fashion", the event calls on more celebrities to encourage people of means to provide assistance to needy groups. Last year, 5.85 million yuan was raised at the party and given to a UNICEF program.

Besides the fundraising gala, Bazaar Magazine has collaborated with Taobao.com to hold an online auction over the past two weeks.

This year, Bazaar Magazine also joined forces with a hundred stars and entrepreneurs to submit a proposal to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs to apply for a "China charity day".

Bazaar Magazine, published by Beijing-based Trends Magazine, who are in cooperation with the US' Harper's Bazaar Magazine, offers a variety of information on current lifestyle trends and fashion designs for women.

Hong Kong actress Christy Chung attends the charity gala held in Beijing on September 8, 2007, to raise funds for orphan projects run by the China Charity Federation.

Director Feng Xiaogang (L) and TV host Shen Xing attend the charity gala held in Beijing on September 8, 2007, to raise funds for orphan projects run by the China Charity Federation.

(CRI.cn September 10, 2007)