The rapid commercialization of the “ice bucket challenge” fails its initial charity purpose in China, and we should ask why, says an article of the Beijing News newspaper. Excerpts:

Many Chinese already feel repugnant about the “ice bucket challenge” shows by some celebrities who are reported in the media as fashion followers. These activities have little relevance to charity causes.

Why does the charity activity in foreign countries lose its direction so fast in China?

The challenge, dating back to a cancer treatment association in New Zealand, has been connected with big names such as Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and David Beckham, from the beginning of its rise as a charity stunt in the United States.

In front of the camera, you can choose to take the challenge of pouring a bucket of freezing water over your head, which means sensational play in the mass media, or donate 100 bucks, which is deemed as the option of a coward.

It is purely a waste of water to organize 1,000 people to take the challenge in Beijing, a city extremely short of water, just for the sake of show. Some organizations are really preparing to host the activity in the capital city.

Some celebrities and rich people think since it is fashionable with so many famous people in the West they should actively take part in this meaningless activity to feed the boring media.

But the amount of money they donate is so meager. It seems to the audience that the charity has been abducted by these clowns, who pay a ticket to buy the media’s exposure.

The entertainment factor of this activity is, to some extent, an insult to cancer patients or orphaned children in China who live under harsh conditions.

According to the first organizers in New Zealander, the main purpose of the activity is not to encourage people to take the challenge, but let them donate as much money as possible for the needy people.

Many Chinese are concerned so much about the surge of their water, power and medical bills. It is pointless for ordinary people to follow the “cheap” stars to and do the same silly things.