Infamous Chinese business owner, philanthropist, attention seeker (and self-proclaimed “China Moral Leader” and “Most Well-Known and Beloved Chinese Role Model”) Chen Guangbiao is showcasing his caring heart by inviting 1,000 poor Americans to lunch in New York’s famed Central Park.

It was just a few months ago that Chen said he was ready to buy the New York Times, claiming at the time that “There’s nothing that can’t be bought for the right price”. Frustrated by the Times‘ failure to sell, he’s turned his attention to philanthropy.

Chen posted a full page advertisement in the New York Times on Monday, and a half page ad in the Wall Street Journal, inviting 1,000 poor Americans to lunch. He also promised to give them each a red packet containing US$300, and even included his email address in the ad. The lunch will be held from 11:30am to 1:30pm on Wednesday June 25.

So why is he doing this, other than simply having way too much money? Chen says he wants to improve Sino-US relations and rebuild the image of Chinese rich people, who are too often simply viewed as consumers of luxury goods.

Chen seems to like putting ads in the Times. In 2012, he took out a half-page ad admonishing Japan for nationalizing the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands.

The best ad he’s ever done, though, just might be his own business card, below.

 Home page image: Global Times