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Charity topper

Updated: 2008-04-21 07:01

(China Daily)

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HSBC, the world's local bank, received the 2007 China Charity Award (foreign company category) from the Ministry of Civil Affairs last Monday, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the mainland community, making it the only international company accorded the award three consecutive times (including one nomination prize) since its establishment in 2005.

Peter Wong (left), executive director for Hong Kong and the mainland of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), shakes hands with Vice-Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo at the award presentation last week.

Approved by the State Council, the China Charity Award is the most prestigious philanthropy award on the mainland. The 2007 award received more than 1,000 applications nationwide. The assessment criteria include social impact, sustainability, creativity, adaptability and creditability of community investment programs. On top of the judging panel evaluation, there was an online voting mechanism attracting 13 million votes from public. In addition to the foreign company category, the government also presented awards in the categories of domestic companies, outstanding individuals and projects.

Peter Wong, executive director for Hong Kong and the mainland of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, said at the recent presentation ceremony: "HSBC strives to learn the real needs of disadvantaged groups in order to design more effective charity programs to help them. We also adopted a unique approach to promoting community development through the collaboration of businesses, charity organizations and government. It's an honor not just for HSBC, but also for all of our charity partners."

Since HSBC began to track its donations for the mainland in the 1990s, it has committed more than 200 million yuan to about 200 philanthropic projects, benefiting people across the country. The projects range from educational and environmental protection projects to community welfare. The beneficiaries cover migrant workers, unemployed people, rural school teachers and students, disabled children and the elderly. HSBC staff also actively participates in volunteer activities and contributed over 3,000 hours in community service last year.

CBW

(China Daily 04/21/2008 page8)