Chinese kungfu movie superstar, Jet Li, has recently published the accounts of his charity, the One Foundation, amid rumors he had embezzled large amounts of donated money.

Jet Li told Beijing-based newspaper The First that about 6 million yuan, or over US$792,000 has been raised since the charity fund was launched in mid April. The money came from 350,000 donors, through bank and postal remittance, cash donation and mobile phone SMS text messages. An additional 45 people donated online using foreign currencies.

The martial-arts film star has persuaded celebrities from the entertainment and sport industries to become permanent volunteers of the organization. The big names include Andy Lau, Jay Chou, Ang Lee and Chow Yun-Fat.

Jackie Chan, another Chinese martial-arts mega star, has accepted Jet Li's invitation to take on the position as honorary director-general of the fund.

There have been two major payouts on the accounts of the foundation. On June 4, 100,000 yuan (US$13,200 ) was donated to earthquake-hit citizens in southwestern Yunnan province. On July 15, one million yuan (US$132,000) went to a project helping youth who have mental health problems.

To Jet Li's disappointment, rumors about his embezzlement of the charity have cropped up ever since the establishment of his foundation.

Jet Li, also the Red Cross ambassador, argued in earlier reports it's simply not worthy risking his fame to commit such a crime.

(CRIENGLISH.com July 21, 2007)