What Makes Chinese Give? NPC deputy calls for policies to implement Charity Law

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As China continues to amass an ever-growing wealth, the spotlight falls on how much individuals, especially the new rich, are willing to give back to society. What makes Chinese give has been a hot debated issue during political season. CGTN correspondent Han Bin interviews lawmakers, and people from different sectors of society, for answers to how to make modern philanthropy work in China.

ZHANG WU, FARMER HAIYUAN COUNTY, NINGXIA "Xihaigu, used to be the poorest place. I've been growing wolfberry for a long time. My life is closely connected with it."

HUANG HONG, PROJECT MANAGER CHINA GREEN FOUNDATION "We provide seedlings, fertilizer, and technological support to farmers. This project has ecological benefits and brings in income."

ZHANG WU, FARMER HAIYUAN COUNTY, NINGXIA "The Green Foundation has funded 3 mu of wolfberry for each family. This has greatly relieved farmers' financial burden."

SUN YI, DEPUTY SECRETARY-GEN. TENCENT CHARITY FOUNDATION "We continue to introduce innovative online public service products to help every caring person connect with the charity cause."

ZHENG GONGCHENG NPC DEPUTY "With the growth of wealth, more and more people are able to help others in need. Philanthropy is becoming more socialized, which is an inevitable trend."

ICY LI, MANAGING DIRECTOR HAVAS, SHANGHAI "It's not that rich people do not want to give back to society, but there're certain factors that actually hold them back."

ZHENG GONGCHENG NPC DEPUTY "We hope that philanthropy is properly organized. And we will not be deceived in the process of giving."

SUN YI, DEPUTY SECRETARY-GEN. TENCENT CHARITY FOUNDATION "Since the Charity Law came into effect in 2016, policies and regulations for online charities have been specific. Relevant regulations are still being improved."

ZHENG GONGCHENG NPC DEPUTY "If you just depend on a law to completely change China's relatively lagging philanthropy situation, that's unrealistic. Supporting regulations and policies are needed."

ICY LI, MANAGING DIRECTOR HAVAS, SHANGHAI "The Chinese philanthropy sector lacks transparency, accountability, which makes many people lose their trust in these institutions. It lacks financial incentive, especially for large-scale donation, because Chinese tax deduction policies are very complex to apply."

HAN BIN SHANGHAI "China has enormous potential for philanthropy. But donating seems to be a new phenomenon. The country has a long history of helping those in need. But modern philanthropy has been slow to take off. How to make it work is my question for 'Lianghui'."

ZHANG WU, FARMER HAIYUAN COUNTY, NINGXIA "We can get more for the improved crop. Farmers have greater confidence in life."

SUN YI, DEPUTY SECRETARY-GEN. TENCENT CHARITY FOUNDATION "We hope netizens will be able to know which steps we take in the projects to put both the charity institutions and projects in transparent pockets."

ICY LI, MANAGING DIRECTOR HAVAS, SHANGHAI "It's really needed to institutionalize and professionalize philanthropy in China, like more foundations, more trained talents, more systematic operations."

ZHENG GONGCHENG NPC DEPUTY "When can China begin an inheritance tax? That's the most effective push for philanthropy."

ZHANG WU, FARMER HAIYUAN COUNTY, NINGXIA "With farmland increasing for wolfberry, the ecological environment is improved. I hope all farmers here can live a better life, not only myself."

SUN YI, DEPUTY SECRETARY-GEN. TENCENT CHARITY FOUNDATION "I hope that through concerted efforts, we'll gradually transform the concept of 'Everyone Doing Philanthropy', from ideal to reality."