The rich in China are often derided for a perceived lack of social
responsibility but two separate reports to be published soon show that the
wealthy are more willing than ever to open their wallets for the needy.
According to the 2006 Hurun Report's Chinese Philanthropists List, compiled
by Briton Rupert Hoogewerf and set to be released today, the total amount
donated by the top 50 Chinese in the year ending March was 3.75 billion yuan
(US$462 million).
That's almost three times the amount donated by the same group for two years
from April 2003 to March 2005 which stood at 1.35 billion yuan (US$166 million).
The number of major donors expanded from 50 in 2005 to 100 this year, and six
of them contributed more than 100 million yuan (US$12 million) each since 2003.
"The rich Chinese are becoming more and more generous," Hoogewerf said
yesterday.
He said the top donor this year Shenzhen entrepreneur Yu Pengnian has given
eight times more than last year's biggest contributor Huang Rulun, founder of
the Jinyuan property and investment group, who gave 286 million (US$35 million),
and "that's a significant change."
Second and third on the list are Yang Lan, Sun TV chairwoman, and Huang.
Hoogewerf also said the wealthy are giving more regularly, creating more
sustainable charity projects and looking to use the money more efficiently.
According to another report compiled by Beijing-based Public Welfare Times
and due to be made public next Tuesday, donations made by Chinese entrepreneurs
last year rose by up to 40 per cent over 2004. The exact amount was not
revealed.
Two individuals, who were not identified, gave more than 100 million yuan
(US$12 million) each in 2005 alone a record said the report, which is not
identical to the Hurun Report.
"The most noticeable feature of our 2006 Charity Ranking List is that Chinese
business people are showing greater fervour in giving," said Liu Youping, the
newspaper's chief editor.