Enterprises and millionaires need to open their wallets to those
in difficulty, a senior official said yesterday.
In China, only 100,000 enterprises from the registered 10
million companies have donated money or other things to the needy:
Just 1 percent.
Experts said there are two main reasons for the absence of
corporate donations. One is that the charity infrastructure is
still underdeveloped, as only about 100 charity organizations have
been set up in the past 11 years.
Another reason is that the government has failed to provide
policies that encourage businesses to give.
"Chinese Government will make new policies, such as more
favorable tax standards, and better social atmosphere to encourage
corporate donations," Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo told
a press conference held by the Information Office of State
Council.
The ministry will take steps in the New Year to support the
development of non-governmental organizations which work to boost
charities and social welfare, Li noted.
To help millions of people stricken by various disasters, the
central government gave 8.7 billion yuan (US$1.05 billion) in
2005.
However, at the same time, the total donation from the public
was only 2.1 billion yuan (US$260 million), Li said.
What is more, 80 million people affected by various natural
disasters are waiting for support in cold winds as Spring Festival
approaches.
To help these people lead a normal life in the winter, the
central government has allocated 1.2 billion yuan (US$149 million),
but this figure is far from enough, Li noted.
According to China Charity
Federation, the country's 100 national-level charity
organizations received donations of only about 5 billion yuan
(US$600 million) this year, accounting for 0.5 percent of the
GDP.
In US, people donate at least US$670 billion to various
foundations annually, 9 percent of the GDP.
(China Daily January 6, 2006)