National honor winners paid out 9,800 yuan fee
By Zhang Xuanchen |
July 19, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ORGANIZERS of a national award named "China's Backbone" have admitted charging each successful candidate 9,800 yuan (US$1,516) as "a service fee" but denied the money was to buy the honor.
The Chinese Reportage Society, one of the organizers, said the cash was collected to cover meal and hotel costs during the awards ceremony, as well as the production costs of a souvenir book, The Beijing News reported yesterday.
The CRS, along with the Chinese Economic Journal Association, China Media Culture Promotion Association and the Chinese Association for Development Strategy launched the award intended to honor a dozen Chinese individuals and companies for their outstanding contribution to the nation.
But whether the award-winners really deserved the honor has become a point of contention after web user Liu Xianming posted a payment document from organizers.
Liu said he received an invitation in May to attend the first China's Backbone awards ceremony, noting that winners would have their stories compiled in a book.
A bank account into which the fee should be paid was included at the end of the letter, and Liu said he soon received a call from the organizers, saying he was shortlisted.
Liu posted the invitation letter online, questioning whether Ni Ping, a popular China Central Television anchor, and some 300 other celebrities had actually paid money to buy their so-called "Backbone of the Republic" award on July 10.
That award shared a similar concept to China's Backbone, with a stated aim of selecting the 10 most influential Chinese figures on the basis of their abilities and contribution to society.
The Backbone of the Republic award was co-organized by the Chinese Economic Journal Association.
Many netizens questioned whether Ni's job can truly qualify her, compared with scientists and politicians.
Ni said on her blog that she received the honor for the work she does, adding that she didn't deserve it.
The Chinese Reportage Society, one of the organizers, said the cash was collected to cover meal and hotel costs during the awards ceremony, as well as the production costs of a souvenir book, The Beijing News reported yesterday.
The CRS, along with the Chinese Economic Journal Association, China Media Culture Promotion Association and the Chinese Association for Development Strategy launched the award intended to honor a dozen Chinese individuals and companies for their outstanding contribution to the nation.
But whether the award-winners really deserved the honor has become a point of contention after web user Liu Xianming posted a payment document from organizers.
Liu said he received an invitation in May to attend the first China's Backbone awards ceremony, noting that winners would have their stories compiled in a book.
A bank account into which the fee should be paid was included at the end of the letter, and Liu said he soon received a call from the organizers, saying he was shortlisted.
Liu posted the invitation letter online, questioning whether Ni Ping, a popular China Central Television anchor, and some 300 other celebrities had actually paid money to buy their so-called "Backbone of the Republic" award on July 10.
That award shared a similar concept to China's Backbone, with a stated aim of selecting the 10 most influential Chinese figures on the basis of their abilities and contribution to society.
The Backbone of the Republic award was co-organized by the Chinese Economic Journal Association.
Many netizens questioned whether Ni's job can truly qualify her, compared with scientists and politicians.
Ni said on her blog that she received the honor for the work she does, adding that she didn't deserve it.
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