Red Cross tries to quash rumors
By Zhang Xuanchen |
June 29, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Red Cross Society of China yesterday tried to dispel rumors that it abused funds and had suspicious ties with a young woman who flaunted riches online.
At a meeting open only to designated media, Wang Wei, vice director of the humanitarian charity in China, said it had rectified accounting errors in its budget for 2009-2010 and won recognition from the National Audit Office.
Errors occurred because accounts staff failed to record that the organization increased purchase orders of medical services from 12 million yuan (US$1.85) to 16.2 million yuan, China News Service quoted Wang as saying.
Wang insisted that "no corruption or embezzlement was involved" in the 4.2 million yuan difference between the two purchase order figures.
Wang again denied any link between the Red Cross and Guo Meimei, who had claimed to be general manager of "Red Cross Commerce," - which the organization said does not exist - and boasted about her luxury lifestyle on a microblog on Weibo.com.
Wang said confusion may have arisen as the Red Cross has a legal branch with a similar name to "Red Cross Commerce," leading members of the public to believe Guo was indeed a Red Cross executive.
In reality, this branch is supervised by China General Chamber of Commerce, said Wang. He denied rumors that the branch split donations with the Red Cross.
Wang also added that Guo Changjiang, vice president of the Red Cross, had no child called "Guo Zihao."
Guo Meimei and a friend named Guo Zihao appeared in a photograph posted by Guo Meimei.
Some people have speculated Guo Meimei might be Guo Changjiang's daughter or his son's girlfriend.
Wang claimed that a photograph showing Guo Changjiang wearing a luxurious Patek Philippe watch was computer generated by web users.
In a document distributed at the briefing, the Red Cross said it realized it faces many challenges, including a lack of professional expertise, resources, personnel and capital.
Public distrust reflected in the rumors showed it still had a lot of work to do to win over much of society, it added.
At a meeting open only to designated media, Wang Wei, vice director of the humanitarian charity in China, said it had rectified accounting errors in its budget for 2009-2010 and won recognition from the National Audit Office.
Errors occurred because accounts staff failed to record that the organization increased purchase orders of medical services from 12 million yuan (US$1.85) to 16.2 million yuan, China News Service quoted Wang as saying.
Wang insisted that "no corruption or embezzlement was involved" in the 4.2 million yuan difference between the two purchase order figures.
Wang again denied any link between the Red Cross and Guo Meimei, who had claimed to be general manager of "Red Cross Commerce," - which the organization said does not exist - and boasted about her luxury lifestyle on a microblog on Weibo.com.
Wang said confusion may have arisen as the Red Cross has a legal branch with a similar name to "Red Cross Commerce," leading members of the public to believe Guo was indeed a Red Cross executive.
In reality, this branch is supervised by China General Chamber of Commerce, said Wang. He denied rumors that the branch split donations with the Red Cross.
Wang also added that Guo Changjiang, vice president of the Red Cross, had no child called "Guo Zihao."
Guo Meimei and a friend named Guo Zihao appeared in a photograph posted by Guo Meimei.
Some people have speculated Guo Meimei might be Guo Changjiang's daughter or his son's girlfriend.
Wang claimed that a photograph showing Guo Changjiang wearing a luxurious Patek Philippe watch was computer generated by web users.
In a document distributed at the briefing, the Red Cross said it realized it faces many challenges, including a lack of professional expertise, resources, personnel and capital.
Public distrust reflected in the rumors showed it still had a lot of work to do to win over much of society, it added.
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