By Xinhua writers Fang Ning, Yan Hao and Hu Tao
BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Less than three weeks before a Chinese billionaires' banquet, sponsored by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett on Sept. 29, only two Chinese businessmen have confirmed they are attending.
Gates and Buffett initiated a project, "The Giving Pledge", in June aimed at persuading billionaires in the United States to give the majority of their wealth, 50 percent or more, to charity.
Although the Microsoft mogul has announced that he would not lobby Chinese billionaires to follow suit, the banquet is turning into a test for donating to China's charities, as the two American billionaires promote philanthropy in the world's most populous country where donating personal wealth to charity has yet to become a common practice.
A deep-rooted concept among wealthy individuals in China is to leave their entire fortunes to their descendants, which might be a major obstacle preventing donations to charity, according to Zhang Yinjun, spokesperson with one of China's largest charity organization, the China Charity Federation.
"If Gates and Buffett's visit and banquet could change Chinese billionaire's concept on the handling of their fortunes, that would be a good start to encourage more people to donate to society," Zhang told Xinhua on Tuesday.
"China has a totally different social condition and environment, so whether or not Chinese billionaires accept Gates' and Buffett's ideas, will be their personal choice," Zhang said.
