Entertainers joined hands to raise money for a poverty relief foundation in Beijing on Monday night.

"Lust, Caution" starlet Tang Wei tells the stories behind a qipao she wore in the award-winning film on Monday, December 10, 2007 in Beijing. Tang Wei has donated the qipao to the charity auction.

The event, organized by the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation and the movie channel of China Central Television (CCTV), raised 29.71 million yuan (US$4.01 million) through donations and an auction of artworks and some props used in blockbuster films.

"Lust, Caution" actress Tang Wei, who won the Best New Performer Award at the 44th Taiwan Golden Horse Awards, donated one of her character's signature qipao (cheongsam). Actor Ren Quan won the costume, presented by Tang Wei, with a bid of 50,000 yuan. He joked he was too manly to wear the qipao, but just wanted to contribute to the cause.

A prop sword from Peter Chan's martial arts epic, "The Warlords," was bought by action star Wu Yue for 41,500 yuan.

All proceeds will be donated to a foundation jointly spearheaded by the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation and CCTV's movie channel.

Since the movie channel has strong ties to the film industry, in only a few months the new foundation has had several film stars show up to donate or promote the foundation.

Taiwan singer Jeff Chang performs for a charity auction held in Beijing on Monday night, December 10, 2007.

Taiwan singer/actor Alec Su performs for a charity auction held in Beijing on Monday night, December 10, 2007.

(CRI December 11, 2007)