IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Decline in donations

Fewer donations were made to the country's charities in the first half of this year, the China Charity and Donation Information Center reported.

The nonprofit organization affiliated with the Ministry of Civil Affairs cited the global financial crisis and record donations during last year's Wenchuan earthquake as factors contributing to the decline.

The center reported that donations in materials and cash totaled 13.1 billion yuan from January through June -- a steep decline from the 61 billion yuan donated during the same period last year.

Donations in 2008 totaled 100 billion yuan -- the largest one-year total in the country's history, according to the center's midyear report.

The center projected that this year's donations likely would stay on par with 2007 donations, which totaled 30.9 billion.

Charity and insurance

The People's Insurance Company of China recently published its 2008 corporate social responsibility (CSR) report.

The company highlighted charitable activities that contributed to society and also to its business strengths, the company reported.

For example, the company provided free insurance products to children and elderly people in impoverished urban areas.

Without borders

Basketball without Borders, a global basketball promotional and community outreach program, came to Beijing this month.

NBA players who volunteered for the program shared their skills and passion for basketball with 60 local Special Olympics athletes.

Basketball without Borders helps develop basketball talents in Asia while also using the sport as a platform to promote education and wellness programs.

The program is a partnership of the NBA and Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), with marketing support from sportswear giant Nike, American Airlines and the package-delivery service DHL.

(China Daily 08/17/2009 page8)