Mobile Internet proves massive boost to charity

While reshaping the way people shop, talk, and entertain themselves, the use of mobile Internet in China is also proving an invaluable tool in helping Chinese become more generous and charitable, according to a new report.

The social corporate responsibility report released by Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd showed that mobile networking applications such as WeChat have become hugely influential in raising funds for good causes.

Released by the Shenzhen-based firm last Friday, it showed that more than five million donations were made on the Tencent's online platforms in 2014, worth collectively around 100 million yuan ($16.11 million).

The annual tally is being hailed as a milestone by its officials, said Chen Yidan, founder of the Tencent Foundation, and compares with 150 million yuan donated between 2008 and 2013 across all its online platforms.

Chen attributed the surge in online donations to the vast growth in the number of people using mobile Internet technology, which he said has lowered the threshold for making and asking for donations.

"It's been a game-changer for the charity sector. Many causes, which struggled to attract the attention of big organizations, can now spread the word on the Internet via mobile networking applications," he said, adding that "we have entered an era in which anyone can easily set up their own charity cause, and successfully fund it".

More efficient mobile-payment technology is also making it easier to donate, he said.

Internet users can browse information while commuting to work, for instance, and simply make a donation via their smartphones. A good deed can be done within minutes or even seconds.

The latest official figures show that the number of Chinese who surf the Internet by smartphone has exceeded the number who gain access via personal computers.

That shift means that the country's traditional public foundations are no longer the dominant players in the charitable sector.

Anyone is able to set up a charity cause on Tencent's platforms - WeChat, mobile QQ or qq.com - and share their projects with friends online. Tencent's latest figures show there were more than 1,000 charity causes launched on its platforms in 2014, the most set up by individuals.

It has also discovered that donation projects have become more diverse in nature as a result, ranging from helping people who suffer from serious diseases, to environmental protection and cultural issues.

The company's report revealed that highlighting projects on social networks and sharing the information with friends and families has allowed much wider publicity, and donations have been raised far quicker, making online charity platforms considerably more influential than ever before.

Guo Kaitian, chairman of Tencent Foundation, said challenges still lie ahead, however.

Despite the costs involved being much lower, many Internet users are still new to donating online, said Guo, adding the foundation's main goal is making "doing a good deed an integral part of everyone's daily life".

mengjing@chinadaily.com.cn