Jet Li's 'nascent' One Foundation charity faces closure in China

Actor-turned-philanthropist Jet Li has described his charity One Foundation as 'a kid without an identity' as its contract with official Red Cross Society of China is about to end this year, without which the foundation will face legal restrictions collecting money.

Three years into the One Foundation, the charity itself is in need of help. Its private status prevents it from direct public fundraising, The China Daily reports.
 
Earlier on Sunday, Li during an interview with China Central TV announced that his nascent charity could be suspended, that had sparked an immediate debate on similar situations faced by many of China's private charity groups.

A supervisor surnamed Ye at One Foundation, however, on Wednesday evening said the foundation is running as usual and its contracts with Red Cross would continue.

"Li's words shouldn't be misinterpreted as a sign that the foundation is giving up, but rather they should be interpreted as an alarm call on the shared plight of private charity groups in China," she said.