Growing importance of social innovation

After over 30 years of development and social transformation, China now has a completely new social pattern. Three sub-systems, namely the State system with its officials and government agencies, the market system with its entrepreneurs and enterprises, and the civilian system with its citizens and various non-governmental organizations, have formed, interacting and confronting each other.

The government has said they will construct an "innovative country", but an innovative country needs not only innovations in government and enterprise systems, but also in society.

Social innovations are creative ways to meet social needs, and they are indispensable in maintaining social vitality, encouraging civilians' enthusiasm to participate in social affairs, and helping form a sense of self-governance.