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Chinese billionaire offers 1000 ‘destitute’ New Yorkers a free lunch — and a song

It's a free lunch, but at what cost?

An eccentric Chinese billionaire is pledging to take 1,000 "poor and destitute" New Yorkers out for lunch at the Loeb Boathouse restaurant in Manhattan's Central Park — where he'll serenade them with his rendition of 'We Are the World.'

Could be worse, right?

Chen Guangbiao, a recycling magnate known for his bizarre business card and his failed attempt to buy the New York Times — ever determined, he's now hoping to buy the opinion section — took out full-page bilingual ads in the Times and Wall Street Journal to ask 1,000 down-on-their-luck strangers out for lunch.

He vowed to give each person in attendance $300 in cash to spend on "occupational training."

So far, more than 250 people have accepted the invitation.

"I want to spread the message in the U.S. that there are good philanthropists in China and not all are crazy spenders on luxury goods," Chen told the South China Morning Post.

"U.S. philanthropists donated to China’s disasters; why can’t we help the poor in the U.S.? It will also improve Sino-U.S. ties."

[ Related: Chinese billionaire Chen Guangbia selling air in a can ]

Guangbiao said that he hopes his generosity will set an example for his hobnobbing peers to become more involved in philanthropy.

(Here's hoping he doesn't start a trend of rich guys belting out hit charity singles in an attempt to inspire the less fortunate.)

In case you can't take Guangbiao up on his offer, here's the original version of "We Are the World":

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