Secretary of State Supports Asian Charities During Recent Trip

During her recent trip to Asia, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton emphasized the role the United States can play in supporting foreign charities — a sign she will bring her long interest in nonprofit groups to her efforts as the country’s top diplomat.

While in China, she was criticized for not doing more to raise human-rights concerns with Chinese officials, but in response she emphasized her meetings with so-called nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs, during her trip.

“At least as important in building respect for and making progress on human rights are the efforts of civil-society institutions, NGOs, women’s groups, academic institutions, and we support those efforts,” she told reporters at a press conference February 21 in Beijing. “And I have highlighted their good work in each capital I have visited, and I will do so here.”

According to The Washington Post, Ms. Clinton met with 23 women who work at promoting legal rights, fighting poverty, and providing health care in China.

During the one-hour meeting, the charity leaders said they continue to be harassed by Chinese officials, but that charitable groups are growing quickly and are benefitting China.

Read The Chronicle’s article about the challenges facing philanthropy in China. (A paid subscription of free temporary pass is required to view the Chronicle article.)