Rich Chinese donating more than ever before

SHANGHAI - Donations from China's wealthiest are on the rise, with the country's top 100 philanthropists giving away 22.9 billion yuan ($3.3 billion) to charity since 2005.

The top 100 philanthropists donated an average of 229 million yuan each over the last five years, or six percent of their wealth, up from four percent last year, said the 2010 Hurun Philanthropy List released on Thursday.

The 50 most generous last year donated 8.2 billion yuan, eight times the average of the first philanthropy list in 2004, said the report.