November 13, 2008 | Read Time: 1 minute
China continues to show signs of a growing embrace of philanthropy.
According to Paul French, Asia Pacific editor at Ethical Corporation magazine, the Sichuan earthquake in May triggered in outpouring of generosity that the government wants to harness to improve social welfare in the country.
He writes that Zheng Yuanchang, director of the government office that oversees charitable activities, says that “China now has, for the first time, ‘a favorable social environment for the development of the country’s philanthropy sector.’”
Such interest has led to philanthropy conferences in China. For example, former president Bill Clinton will hold an event for donors in Hong Kong next month. And last week, the first China Global Philanthropy Forum met in Beijing.
One of the forum’s participants, Ken Berger, president of Charity Navigator, writes on his blog, Ken’s Commentary, that a number of people working in China showed interest in his nonprofit watchdog’s efforts to evaluate charities.
“I have no idea if we will be doing any work in Asia; that is not my point here. Rather, it is the universal nature of our message and the need for our services worldwide,” he writes.
Despite the interest in philanthropy, a confusing tax system, government hostility toward human-rights groups, and cultural barriers are obstacles to charity work there, according to a Chronicle report
on China.
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What do you think? What does China need to increase philanthropy?
