Last Sunday, eleven neatly-dressed people appeared in the streets of Kunming, Yunnan Province, and engaged in a controversial action. Following the motions of nearby beggars, they began to ask for money from passers-by.

The group was hesitant to elaborate in detail, but they told reporters that they are owners of cars, houses, and private enterprises, and that their action was part of a training to challenge themselves.

The group asked for money along the streets, getting refused constantly. Some begged for fruit from a small stand, and upon receiving kind charity, ate fruit while taking a rest.

After the four-hour training session ended, the group donated all the money to a local charity benefiting elderly people.

Liu Haihua, one of the eleven, said the experience of being scolded on the streets made him better understand the position of his employees, whom he used to blame unreasonably.

(CRI September 27, 2005)