Thirty Years of Blossoms and Harvests: Joining Hands to Forge Ahead in the New Era 

President of China Charity Federation, Gong Puguang

At a time when the national civil affairs system, the charity and public welfare sector are diligently studying and implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions and Premier Li Qiang's significant speech delivered at the 15^th National Civil Affairs Conference, we gather here today for China Charity Forum and the 30^th Anniversary Symposium of China Charity Federation. The Ministry of Civil Affairs has attached great importance to this meeting, and Minister Lu Zhiyuan has taken time out of his busy schedule to attend the meeting and delivered an important speech. On behalf of China Charity Federation, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Minister Lu and the leaders and guests from various sectors who are attending this event! I also wish to express my highest respect to the loving enterprises, institutions, organizations, and individuals who have long supported the work of the Federation and the charity cause. Additionally, I offer heartfelt greetings to our colleagues from charity associations and charitable organizations across the country, who have stood by us through thick and thin, advancing together over the past thirty years!

The celebration of the Federation's 30^th anniversary is a significant event in our history, marking an important milestone in the development of the Federation. It holds profound significance in advancing the Federation's cause and supporting the progress of the charity sector. ‌

Thirty years ago, China was in the midst of a magnificent wave of reform and opening-up, with all industries flourishing and competition intensifying. In this dynamic and thriving era, the strong advocacy of the Party and the country, the vigorous promotion of reform and opening-up, tremendous achievements in economic construction, and the increasing awareness of morality laid a solid foundation for the revitalization and development of China's charity sector. These efforts helped clarify the concept of charity, promote a charitable culture, and drive the growth of charitable causes.

In the spring of 1994, with the strong support of the Party and the government, and the active initiative of the former presidents of China Charity Federation      like Cui Naifu, Yan Mingfu and others, and through the relentless efforts of people from all walks of life, China Charity Federation was officially established with approval from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. This event marked a milestone in the history of contemporary Chinese charity. Together with the various charity associations that emerged across the country, China Charity Federation became a key force in China's unique model of charitable endeavors. It has played an important role in assisting social security, maintaining social fairness, reducing the wealth gap, participating in social governance, promoting charitable culture, and advancing the grand cause of common prosperity.

Over the past thirty years, especially since the 18^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, has attached great importance to the charity sector, making a series of significant decisions and deployments. These initiatives have provided scientific guidance and fundamental principles for the high-quality development of the charity cause, as well as offered ideological direction and injected strong momentum for a wide range of charitable organizations, charity workers, and all sectors of society that care about, love, and engage in charitable activities, including China Charity Federation.

In the past thirty years, under the direct leadership of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and with the leadership of Presidents Cui Naifu, Yan Mingfu, Fan Baojun, Li Bengong, and the 5^th Council, China Charity Federation has made the development of charity with Chinese characteristics and professional charitable organizations its mission. The Federation has closely aligned itself with the national development strategy, serving public welfare and social security. It has followed a glorious path, consistently resonating with the Party and the nation, and connecting deeply with the people's needs. The Federation has established a vast charity assistance network that spans the entire country. Till now, the Federation has over 500 member units across the nation, more than 20 individual members, and has implemented nearly 300 charity projects. These projects cover a wide range of areas, including poverty alleviation, assistance to the elderly and orphans, medical and disability assistance, disaster relief, education, technology, health, environmental protection, and cultural and artistic initiatives. The Federation has raised over RMB 160 billion worth of charity funds and materials, helping tens of millions of people in need to varying extents. The Federation has been recognized with the "5A (AAAAA) Grade Foundation" title for three consecutive terms and has received numerous awards such as "National Advanced Social Organization," "Advanced Grassroots Party Organization," and "China Charity Award."

Thirty Years of Hard Work and Achievements

Looking back on the past thirty years of struggle, we feel both proud and deeply moved.

Over the past three decades, we have always adhered to the principle of Party leadership. We have unwaveringly followed the path of charity with Chinese characteristics under the guidance of the Party, using the Party's theories to strengthen our ideals and beliefs and to forge our political soul. We have earnestly implemented the major decisions and policies of the Party and the country regarding charity work, fully advancing the high-quality development of the charity cause. We have fully leveraged the role of the Party Committee in guiding the Federation's overall work, continuously promoting the deep integration of Party building with our business activities.

In the past thirty years, we have kept our purpose in mind and served the overall situation. We have always closely linked the charity cause with the Party's and the country's central work. In response to major emergencies and disasters, we have always been at the forefront, dedicating ourselves fully, and courageously shouldering our responsibilities. From Zhangbei, Wenchuan, Yushu to Ya'an, Ludian, and Jishi Mountain earthquakes; from the floods in the south to the droughts in the southwest, from snowstorms in the south to water disasters in Taiwan; from snowstorms in Xinjiang to mudslides in Zhouqu; from floods in Henan to water disasters in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region; from the SARS outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic; from the Indian Ocean tsunami to the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria… We have been involved in every major disaster relief fundraising and rescue operation. Especially during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we, along with the national charity and public welfare community, actively responded to the nation's call and quickly integrated into the national pandemic response efforts. We launched public fundraising campaigns at the first opportunity and, in collaboration with the Hubei Charity Federation and Mengniu Dairy, supported the Blue Sky Rescue in managing emergency material warehouses in Wuhan. During the most challenging times, we received and transported over 40.12 million pieces of pandemic relief materials, contributing to the national fight against the pandemic. The Federation also supported the Blue Sky Rescue's pandemic relief efforts in Cambodia, demonstrating the humanitarian spirit and the great power of China.

In the midst of the historic battle against poverty, we have continued to carry out charity work to assist Tibet and Xinjiang, and to support economically underdeveloped and remote areas. In particular, we have carried out key assistance to the deeply impoverished areas in the "three districts and three prefectural regions" and the poverty-stricken counties designated by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. A total of 8.285 billion yuan worth of charity money and goods have been invested, contributing to changing the face of poverty-stricken areas. In promoting the grand cause of rural revitalization, the federation focused on the launch of the "Good relief for the sick and poor" project and the "Happy Home" village community mutual assistance project, established a linkage mechanism with local charity associations, and coordinated the implementation of the project, achieving remarkable results. By October 2024, nearly 1,000 charitable organizations in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities have joined the "Happy Home" project, raising a total of more than 2.3 billion yuan nationwide. As a landmark project bringing together the spirit of unity and strong joint efforts of the national Charity Association, the project won the "China Charity Award" and was known as the "Hope Project" in the new era.

Over the past thirty years, we have meticulously built charitable brands, founding and implementing a series of nationally influential brand projects and activities. These include poverty alleviation and relief programs such as "Charity Warmth for Thousands of Families" and the "Charity Rainwater Collection Project"; rural revitalization initiatives like the "Wanda's Poverty Alleviation Program in Danzhai County" program, "Light Plan," and "Home Building with Charity"; education support programs such as the "Candlelight Project" and "China Charity Library"; medical and disability assistance programs like "Smile Train," "Showing Love with One Piece of Paper," and "Congenital Heart Disease Assistance"; programs for the elderly and children like "A Better Tomorrow for Children" and "HSBC China Charity Elderly Care Program"; and programs supporting veterans and military families such as "Warmth for Veterans - Special Action for Retired Military Personnel." Throughout the implementation of these projects, we have witnessed the care and love extended by countless charitable enterprises and individuals to those in need. We have seen countless disadvantaged individuals and families overcome difficulties and embrace hope and a brighter future, and we have come to fully appreciate the profound significance and value of charity work.

Over thirty years, we have opened broad paths for charity and made many good friends. As the "national team" in the charity sector, we have placed a strong emphasis on enhancing communication and cooperation across multiple fields and industries. We have entered into strategic cooperation agreements with various government agencies, such as the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, leading enterprises like China Construction Bank, China Everbright Bank, China Zheshang Bank, Tencent, and QingSong Health, industry associations such as China Charity Alliance and China Federation of Internet Societies, as well as online platforms like ByteDance, QingSong Charity and Shuidi Charity.

We have also extended our reach beyond domestic borders, actively engaging in international charitable exchanges and cooperation. Over the years, we have established strong partnerships with international organizations and charitable institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Way Worldwide, the LDS Charities in the United States, the Smile Train Foundation, and New Thought in South Korea. We have also collaborated with more than ten world-renowned pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis from Switzerland, AstraZeneca from the UK, and Bayer from Germany. We have undertaken projects like the "One Belt And One Road·Paukphaw Child Relief Operation into Myanmar" and the "One Belt And One Road·Hand-in-Hand with Primary School Students" activities. Moreover, we have actively participated in international disaster relief efforts. Through these endeavors, we have pioneered several firsts, such as China's social organizations joining international charitable organizations, in-depth cooperation with internationally renowned pharmaceutical companies to carry out large-scale medical aid projects, and foreign fundraising and assistance efforts. These initiatives have earned widespread acclaim from the international community.

Over the past thirty years, we have worked hard to create a social atmosphere for the development of philanthropy. We have held numerous national conferences on charity promotion, established influential media platforms such as the Charity and Public Welfare News, Charity magazine, the Federation's official website, and official social media accounts. We have also compiled industry reference books like the China Charity Year-Book, and have maintained long-term cooperative relationships with mainstream media outlets such as People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, GuangMing Daily, The People's Political Consultation News, people.cn and www.xinhuanet.com. The Federation has fully utilized the expertise of its Advisory Committee, along with resources from universities and research institutions, to carry out academic seminars and professional training activities, providing theoretical support for the development of the charity sector.

We have successfully organized a series of brand-value events in charity culture and academic themes, including the "Achievement Exhibition of China Charity Federation," "China Charity Spring Festival Gala," "International Charity Forum," "China Charity Forum," "Advanced Talent Training in Charity and Public Welfare," "Charity Culture on Campus," "China Charity Federation Research Projects," and "China Charity Carnival." We have also published several charitable monographs such as Charitable Footsteps, On the Road to Charity, and Good Deeds and Wisdom. At the same time, we actively participate in various charity cultural brand events organized by peers across the country, including the "Yangtze River Delta Charity Forum," the "Yellow River Region's Nine Provinces (Autonomous Regions) Cities Charity Work High-Quality Development Forum," the "Beijing Charity Culture Innovation Forum," "West Lake Charity Discussion," the "Greater Bay Area Public Welfare and Charity Gala," and the "Western Charity Forum."

In addition, we have cooperated with member units to establish academic and cultural platforms, including China Charity Federation Taiyuan Training Base, Huzhou Study Base, Nantong Study Base, Changshu Demonstration Base, and Ma'anshan Love School, forming various charitable cultural practices and achievements.

Over thirty years, we have governed by law and acted in accordance with the law. We have adhered to the principle of "charity through the law" and have strictly complied with national laws and regulations related to charity work. We have actively participated in and supported the development of China's charity legal framework. During the legislative process of China's first Charity Law and its subsequent revision, the Federation was invited to contribute to various specific tasks, offering our valuable input for the creation and revision of the law.

We have continuously improved our internal governance systems and decision-making mechanisms, prioritizing the strengthening of ideological development, institutional building, quality enhancement, and capacity building across all aspects of our work. We strive to build a leadership team that is politically resolute, diligent and clean in governance, pragmatic and results-oriented, and collaborative. We aim to cultivate a workforce that is ideologically strong, has excellent work ethics, is dedicated to their duties, and possesses strong capabilities.

Thirty Years of Experience and Insights

Comrades and friends, the birth and development of China Charity Federation marks a significant symbol of the rebirth and revitalization of the traditional charitable spirit of the Chinese nation during the great process of reform and opening-up. It represents a hard-won exploration of the path of modern charity development in China, and it is also a typical reflection of the growth and development of modern charitable organizations in China. Over the past thirty years, we have not only been practitioners of charity but also role models for charitable organizations. We have persistently integrated our efforts with the central work of the country, dedicating ourselves to poverty alleviation, disaster relief, participating in the third distribution of wealth, and assisting in social governance. We have played an important role as a national charity organization in ensuring and improving people's livelihoods, promoting social harmony, and contributing to the realization of common prosperity. We have always adhered to innovation within inheritance and development within innovation. By closely combining China's excellent traditional culture with the charitable spirit and aligning with the laws of contemporary charity development, we have explored paths for the high-quality development of Chinese-style charitable organizations, accumulated valuable experience, and demonstrated our responsibility and commitment.

After thirty years of challenges and progress, we have deeply realized that the growth, maturity, and achievements of a charitable organization must always adhere to the leadership of the Party, closely align with national strategies, and serve the broader agenda of work. By keeping in mind our functional positioning and understanding our mission and responsibilities, we can ensure that our path will continue to broaden, remain stable, and achieve long-term success.

We have deeply realized that the growth, maturity, and achievements of a charitable organization must be deeply rooted in the fertile soil of socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must organically combine China's excellent traditional culture with modern civilization and the trends of the times, and steadfastly follow the path of charity development with Chinese characteristics. Only by doing so can the cause of charity continues to thrive and flourish for generations.

We have deeply realized that the growth, maturity, and achievements of a charitable organization must firmly adhere to the principle of governing charity through the law and acting within the law. We must continuously strengthen industry governance and our internal development, standardize industry behavior, build a proper image, and fully demonstrate the public welfare and credibility that charitable organizations must possess. Only in this way can we continuously improve the transparency and influence of charitable organizations, truly earning the trust of the public and the test of history.

Facing the Future: Goals and Outlooks 

Comrades and friends, in this new era where transformation and stability coexist, and tradition and innovation intertwine, our mission is honorable, and our responsibility is great.

In the next five years, starting from a new starting point, we aim to be pioneers on the path of developing charity with Chinese characteristics. We will firmly grasp the political direction and continuously raise our political standing. Guided by the spirit of the 20^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Third Plenary Session of the 20^th Central Committee, we will earnestly implement the important directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping on civil affairs work and the spirit of the 15^thNational Civil Affairs Conference. In line with the overall requirements of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, we will strategically plan a series of reforms related to the Federation's high-quality and sustainable development. We will continue to promote innovations in system mechanisms, development models, technological means, charity projects, charity services, and charitable cooperation methods, ensuring that the Federation remains dynamic throughout the process of deepening reforms.

We will set an example in the grand cause of charity through the law. We will continuously strengthen our understanding of and capacity to apply charity law, enhancing our ability and competence to study, use, respect, and uphold the law. We will continuously improve internal governance, further enhance system building and risk prevention frameworks, optimize organizational structure, strengthen legal work, improve financial management, increase information transparency, standardize project operations, and foster an internal atmosphere focused on performance, encouraging innovation, promoting unity and hard work, and maintaining integrity and discipline.

We will be promoters of a positive social charity ecosystem. We will continuously help optimize the development environment for charity, actively advancing the networking, standardization, and professionalization of national charity associations. We will further direct charity resources to grassroots levels, striving to build a positive social ecosystem where "goodness is everywhere, goodness is always present, goodness is in every action, and everyone engages in charity." We will strengthen horizontal connections and deepen communication with various financial institutions, industry associations, and chambers of commerce. We will proactively establish strategic partnerships with non-profit organizations with professional capabilities, new media platforms, and other entities, and enhance exchanges and cooperation with Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Taiwan in China, and the international Chinese community, achieving complementary capabilities and mutual development.

We will be inheritors and learners of excellent charity culture. We will fully leverage the expertise and influence of the Federation's Advisory Committee, organizing research on charity theory, optimizing charity policies, and promoting the spread of charity culture. We will further connect social charitable resources, strengthen the volunteer team, and provide more convenient and efficient services for people from all sectors of society to participate in charitable causes. We will deeply explore China's excellent charity culture, spread the concepts of charity in the new era, highlight outstanding charitable individuals and charity projects, and encourage willing and capable donors to engage in public welfare and charity.

We will be pioneers in advancing the modernization of charity. We will accurately grasp the development direction of charitable organizations and the trends in charity work, deeply integrating the charity sector with the internet, and introducing new technologies and tools such as big data, blockchain, and AI. This will make the matching of charity supply and demand more efficient and precise. We will vigorously enhance the planning, design, and organizational implementation of charity projects, and improve donation services. We will make online donations more efficient and transparent, providing legal entities and high-income groups with more convenient and reliable channels to participate in charity.

We will be participants in the global spread of Chinese charity. We will continue to expand industry cooperation and actively develop both institutional and individual memberships. We will fully leverage the role of civil diplomacy in charity, build meaningful relationships, and strengthen international exchanges to introduce more charity resources. At the same time, we will promote Chinese charity to the world and let the brilliance of Chinese charity shine in the international charitable community.

Comrades and friends, the best way to honor history is by writing new history. Let us, with the strong momentum from General Secretary Xi Jinping's important directives on civil affairs work, embrace a new spirit and a pragmatic, enterprising attitude, and make new and greater contributions to the high-quality development of charity with Chinese characteristics!