Yes, a free lunch: Chinese tycoon treats hundreds of homeless New Yorkers

A Chinese tycoon is feeding hundreds of homeless New Yorkers some fancy food — in Central Park.

The lunch for 250 residents of a Manhattan shelter will be served Wednesday at the Boathouse restaurant.

Recycling magnate Chen Guangbiao (gwong-BYOW') is offering them sesame-seed-encrusted tuna, beef filet and berries with creme fraiche. He'll also provide entertainment by singing "We are the World." And he's promised each guest $300.

Chen says he wants to disprove the cliche image of rich Chinese spending money mostly on luxuries.

But his American ambitions surpass philanthropy.

Earlier this year, the 46-year-old businessman wanted to buy The New York Times. Times chairman Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., said the newspaper was not for sale.

To announce the lunch, Chen placed ads in the Times and The Wall Street Journal.

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