More Donations for Quake Relief as Engines Roar

Action film star Jet Li took a break on Sunday from his relief work in quake-hit Sichuan Province and led a fund-raising car race in Shanghai.

The One Foundation Cup charity race, named after Jet Li's disaster-relief foundation, raised 700,000 yuan (US$100,846) with the help of its star-heavy racer roster. It was the latest effort by the One Foundation which has so far contributed more than 56 million yuan (US$8 million) since the deadly earthquake on May 12.

The emphasis on winning was downplayed at the race, which was held at the Shanghai International Circuit, while racers and onlookers highlighted their best wishes for quake survivors. While supermodel Chen Juanhong and actor Carlo Ng won the female and male games respectively, they held their arms high when receiving the trophies, a gesture to mourn the dead and encourage the living.

Outside the racing track, spectators flooded a reception center to sign their wishes on a huge banner, which will be presented to survivors in Sichuan.

Jet Li said earlier while volunteering in Chengdu, Sichuan's provincial capital, that he has prepared for long-term reconstruction effort in quake zones, and would stay away from the silver screen throughout the year.

The Beijing-based One Foundation recently set up an office in Chengdu to help its staff better carry out relief work.

CRI