The "Top Ten Stars of Social Welfare" were announced on Sunday at a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing attended by senior officials Ismail Amat, Zhou Tienong and Peng Peiyun.

A group of anonymous donors in east China's Shandong Province called "Micro-dust" topped the list after raising funds for victims of last year's Indian Ocean tsunami from Qingdao City.

The nine others were Cong Fei, a singer with a malignant tumor, Zhang Xinghui, a doctor from Shandong providing free medical services for patients in need, Wang Jianlin, "Wanda Group" chairman from Dalian in the northeastern province of Liaoning, Yang Shoucheng, a noted philanthropist from Hong Kong, Han Yaqin, an entrepreneur from Taiyuan dedicated to public welfare service, Yan Xijun, a Tianjin private businessperson contributing to the cause of disabled people, Yang Benhua, a Taiwan philanthropist coming to the aid of the needy on the mainland, Xu Benyu, who has volunteered to teach in Dashi Hope School in southwestern Guizhou Province, and Lin Ruiban, who cared for older and disabled people and devoted time to neighborhood community services.

In his address, Zhou said their selection has set a fine example for others to follow, and that charitable activities are helpful for building a harmonious society.

The China Association of Social Workers’ Committee of Social & Public Welfare, which organized the process, said the selection of the top ten began on May 23.

Twenty candidates recommended by the general public were selected by professionals, and the final result decided by a public vote, opinions from an evaluation commission and opinions from a professionals’ commission, weighted 30, 30 and 40 percent respectively.

The election was sponsored by six charity groups and the People's Daily's domestic policy department.

(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2005)