(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-20 07:27

China's 210 million Internet users are always rife with stories and debate whenever a big event occurs.

In the past seven days, following the May 12 earthquake, Chinese netizens have extolled the central government's quick response, showered praise on the troops, and extended support for the victims.

As an increasing number of companies based or investing on the mainland have provided unprecedented support, Chinese netizens have begun to discuss and examine their role in disaster relief.

Many companies have been playing their part, in most cases, donating money and goods.

Leading Chinese Web portal Sina.com reported that as of yesterday these companies had made a combined donation of more than 4.1 billion yuan in cash and goods.

The figure is almost triple that of four days ago - 1.5 billion yuan.

More than 140 companies had donated about 10 million yuan each and 14 others, 50 million yuan or more each.

The five biggest corporate donors were the State Grid Corporation of China, which contributed 200 million yuan in cash and goods. Taiwan-based Formosa Plastics Corp, Shanghai-based Rizhao Steel, Guangdong-based beverage company JDB, and Tianjin Rockcheck Steel Group Co Ltd, each donated 100 million yuan.

Such generous donations for disaster relief are unprecedented in Chinese corporate history.

These companies, particularly the big donors, were lauded by the netizens.

Formosa, which has huge investments on the mainland, moved many netizens with its 100 million yuan donation on May 14, just two days after the earthquake.

The company, and its 91-year-old founder, Wang Yung-ching, received much praise.

"Bravo to Wang. People on the mainland will remember your righteous act and support forever," an anonymous netizen based in Hubei province said following a news story on Sina.com about the donation.

The JDB Group, a young, private beverage company best known in China for its popular herbal tea Wang Laoji, also received high praise.

"I had thought you (JDB Group) might donate 2 million yuan at most. But you gave 100 million.. That came as a big surprise to me. You are excellent, and I will drink Wang Laoji every day," a netizen from Hunan province said.

About 12 hours after the JDB Group announced its donation on Sunday night, reams of positive comments were posted on the Internet and netizens found the company's website jammed.

Besides donating money and goods, some companies are helping in other ways.

China Life Insurance (Group) Co, the nation's largest life insurer, which had donated 16 million yuan, announced on Wednesday it would pay the living costs of all those orphaned in the quake until they reach the age of 18.

Statistics show that only some 100,000 Chinese companies, merely 1 percent of the country's total 10 million registered firms, have a history of making charitable donations.

Chinese companies and celebrities have long been criticized by the virtual community, which is playing an increasing important role in shaping public opinion, for being unwilling to participate in philanthropic activities.

This time, however, things have changed.

Xiao Mingchao, a netizen, said Chinese companies had been swift in their response to the earthquake.

"Companies on the mainland, domestic or foreign-funded, are a major force in the society and have benefited from China's booming market. Profit is very important to them, so too must their social responsibility," Xiao wrote in his blog.

"Their response to this major disaster indicates corporate responsibility.

"Companies that lend a helping hand in times of crisis increase their popularity, and in some cases, help to mend their damaged images."

Chengduese, a blogger based in Chengdu, provincial capital of Sichuan, said the generosity of the companies "indicates a favorable change in the charity sector".

Such a change should be partly credited to the Corporate Income Tax Law which came into effect in January this year, he said in his Baidu.com blog.

Companies making donations under the new law get tax-free incentives.

"Donations for quake relief is philanthropy. No matter how much is given, we should support and encourage this as it shows respect and care for victims," Chengduese said.

Xinhua

(China Daily 05/20/2008 page9)