Local charities, firms serious about social responsibility

"Wealthy and caring" are perhaps the best words that can be used to describe Jinjiang, the first county-level city in China that has a charity federation with 1.55 billion yuan ($235 million) under its belt.

The federation, founded in 2002, added another 20 million yuan to its coffers on June 28, after Lin Haicha, the founder of Guirenniao, a leading domestic apparel maker, set up a charity fund to coincide with his grandson's wedding ceremony.

"I've attended at least 10 such occasions in the last two years I have been in Jinjiang. It was surprising to see entrepreneurs setting up funds to commemorate important days or events," said Liu Wenru, the city mayor.