The essence of charity and philanthropy are rooted in the traditional Chinese culture. For instance, Confucianism advocates “Ren Ai”, benevolence; the Mohists advocate “Jian Ai”, people should love each other without considering the relations and ranks.

Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (in 1949), the philanthropy field was totally taken over by the government, since the government took care of all the needs for employment arrangement, people’s welfare and disaster relief, until the reform and opening up in 1978. However, it took a long time for the people to accept the word of philanthropy in their life.

Since 1978 the reform, the society began to have some resources and time at their own discharge. With the government’s conscious support, philanthropic organizations are sprouting in China. In July 1981, China’s first charity organization in the modern sense, China Children and Teenagers Fund was established, marking China’s philanthropy having entered a new era.

Then, 1985-Amity Foundation

1988- China Women’s Development Foundation

1989- China Youth Development Foundation

1989- Project Hope was established, which became a brand name for China’s philanthropy. The picture of a big eyed girl holding a pencil at her desk in a classroom has become the symbol of philanthropy in China.

1994- Cui Naifu, who recently retired from the position of Minister of Civil Affairs, and Yan Mingfu, the then new Minister of Civil Affairs establish China’s first comprehensive philanthropy, China Charity Federation.

The heavy flood in 1998 triggered an outburst of giving by the common citizens. In the following 10 years after 1998, philanthropy in China developed with leaps and bounds.

In 1999, with the promulgation of the Law on Donations for Public Welfare, common day donations for the disadvantaged group, for the protection of cultural heritage and environment got reconfirmed to be major part of philanthropy, on top of donating when disaster happens.

In 2001, China’s first nation wide newspaper China Philanthropy Times was established by China Social Work Association, which is provided over by China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs.

In 2004, China’s first Regulation on Foundations Administration was promulgated. The Nov 2005 saw the convening of China’s first nation-wide philanthropy conference, China Philanthropy Conference in Beijing. In 2008, China’s President Hu Jintao attended the 2008 China Philanthropy Conference and made a speech, symbolizing the Communist Party’s and the government’s emphasis on philanthropic undertakings.

Disasters are still opportunities to generate maximum social mobilization in philanthropic acts. SARS (in 2005), snow disaster in early 2008, Wenchuan earth quake in 2008, helped showcased the philanthropic powers in China, through giving corporations, philanthropic organizations and volunteers.

(Translated and compiled by Xing according to an article on China Philanthropy Times: http://www.gongyishibao.com）