A voice of compassion

Singer-songwriter Han Hong takes action to help Wuhan, the city at the center of the coronavirus outbreak, Chen Nan reports.

Han Hong had planned to stage the first concert of her 2020 national tour in Wuhan, Hubei province, on Feb 29.

But the coronavirus outbreak, which began in the provincial capital, forced her to cancel the show. She also called upon celebrity friends and ordinary people to donate to the hardest-hit city. Hospitals in particular need masks, protective suits and goggles.

"I want to call on my friends in the art circles to donate and help people affected by this terrible virus outbreak," the 48-year-old said on her Sina Weibo account, which has over 13 million followers.

By Saturday, over 100 Chinese celebrities, including actors, actresses, singers and songwriters, as well as the general public, had joined the donation drive. Over 2 billion yuan ($285 million) have been donated through her nonprofit, Han Hong Love Charity Foundation, which she founded in 2012.

"When you're going through a situation like this, you obviously want to do anything you can to help. There are so many generous people out there," writes a fan, who donated through Han's foundation."It's good to know that there are trucks with medical supplies going straight to the medical staff."

Han updates donation information, such as accounting records, and details about the transportation and distribution of medical supplies, on Sina Weibo.

"We all have the urge to help. We're doing our best," Han wrote on the platform on Friday.

She also credits donors for showing love and calls for more fundraising, which should be open and transparent.

"I trust her. She's more than a pop star. She has the power to influence and make a difference," a fan posts on Han's Sina Weibo.

Han is known for her powerful vocal range, boyish appearance and outspoken personality.

She rose to popularity with such hits as her original, Heaven's Road, and her rendition of the song, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which was first performed by Li Na in 1994.

Han has declined interview requests. Her colleague says she's busy coordinating work in Wuhan.

In 2008, Han staged a charity performance for Wenchuan, Sichuan province, after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck the region. This inspired her to found her foundation.

Over the years, she has donated to people affected by various disasters, including an earthquake in Yushu, Qinghai province, in 2010; a huge mudslide in Zhugqu county, Gansu province; and a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in Yingjiang county, an impoverished community in Yunnan province, in March 2013.

"I almost spent my savings to donate after disasters. That's what I want and what I can do," Han said in an interview on the online show, Opinion, in 2015.