JIMMY SAVILE 

The Chinese Connection

On December 20th 1988, the Aberdeen Press and Journal carried a news report that disclosed a collaboration involving both Jimmy Savile and China. Under the heading A sight to gladden the heart... there was an image of a man peering through the lens of some sort of instrument in the direction of Jimmy Savile's eyes, as he leant his head close in for some form of examination. 

The text beneath the photograph stated:

Disc jockey Jimmy Savile has his eyes tested by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Ji Chaozhu, after helping to present a gift of a £10,000 mobile eye centre which will help thousands of people in the remote areas of China. The presentation was made in Berkhamsted, Herts., yesterday and the centre - bought at Jimmy's instigation after he attended a reception in the Chinese Embassy - was paid for by the British Government, Shanning International and International Disability Services. 

The same basic story was also covered by The Times on that day.  Beneath the heading A welcome sight for sore eyes, was an image of a man holding the same sort of device that was featured in the the Aberdeen paper, but directed at a young girl facing him in profile, wearing a large hat. The text underneath reads:

The Chinese Ambassador, Ji Chaozhu, testing the eyesight of Caroline Holdron after the £10,000 mobile eye centre was presented to him for use in remote areas of China. It was paid for by the Government, Shanning International and International Disability Services and presented to the envoy by Jimmy Savile, the entertainer, at Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, yesterday. Mr Nicholas Scott, Minister for the Disabled, attended.