Bill Gates and Warren Buffett will issue a public explanation of the purpose of their upcoming visit to China after a local newspaper reported that wealthy Chinese individuals were declining invitations to an event hosted by the two billionaire philanthropists due to concerns they’d be asked for donations to charity, Bloomberg reported. Gates and Buffett, who are worth a combined US$100 billion, want to encourage billionaires to donate at least half of their fortunes to charitable causes. "Our biggest intention for this month’s China trip is to…learn how to propel the charity business in such a big developing country," said a press officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Beijing-based Economic Observer reported that "a small number" of wealthy Chinese declined an invitation to attend a private gathering with Gates and Buffett, and that event organizers had received multiple calls from invitees asking if they would be asked to give money at the event.
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