Pigs, adorned with flowers, are presented during a rehearsal on Saturday prior to a charity concert on Sunday starring businessman Chen Guangbiao in Bijie city, Guizhou province. Chen gave away 1,000 sheep, 2,000 pigs and 113 tractors to farmers. [Photo by Zheng Xiongzeng/for China Daily]

Just prior to the Mercedes incident Chen Guangbiao was also in the spotlight when the philanthropist gave away thousands of livestock and other farm tools at a concert in Bijie's city square. After the two-hours concert that attracted a crowd of more than 20,000, Chen denoted more than 1,000 sheep, 2,000 pigs and 113 tractors and asked that they were given to farmers in need.

Chinese philanthropists are becoming increasingly well-known for looking for ways to give their fortunes to the less fortunate. Earlier this year, Zong Qinghou, one of the richest men in China, announced his plans to set up a family foundation. The foundation will be similar to the Nobel Prize, and operate an internationally recognised price to encourage scientific innovation and to provide greater educational opportunities for the less privileged in society. The foundation has already been approved by the Chinese government's Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Love them or loathe them, many billionaire philanthropists are doing a great job helping the world's most needy. Instead of criticising their actions, we should be applauding them, as although many of these billionaires may have 'more money than sense', their charitable activities are unquestionably helping the world's most underprivileged.

Chen Guangbiao's actions, such as handing out pigs on stage and smashing up his own Mercedes-Benz, are most definitely eccentric and have whipped up a storm of public attention. But if that is what it takes to give environmental issues the attention they deserve and encourage people to make greener lifestyle choices, then I cannot wait to see what crazy stunt Chen Guangbiao will pull next time in the name of saving the planet.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.shenbo75.com/opinion/gabriellepickard.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.