More Chinese firms focusing on charity work

Representatives of award-winning organizations pose for photos during the 2013 China Charity Festival, Jan 18, 2014. [Photo by He Yini / chinadaily.com.cn]

Companies in China are focusing more on charity, an undertaking that is considered a crucial part of corporate social responsibility.

That is the message delivered during the China Charity Festival held on Jan 18, as representatives from award-winning companies, including Yum! China, Hengyuanxiang Group, and General Cable, shared their best practices of fulfilling their social responsibility in the past year.

"Social responsibility is very important for the sustainability of a company, and charity is a major part of it," said Long Weili, public affairs director of Yum! China.

The biggest social responsibility of a company is to create the most value for all stakeholders including investors, clients, staff members, government, communities, and environment, according to a Corporate Social Responsibility Report issued by the Sino-Ocean Land Holdings Ltd, citing the company's Chairman and CEO Li Ming.

Sino-Ocean Land is among the winners of the corporate charity awards, which also included Baxter China, McDonald's Corp, Ford Motor, and Guangfa Securities Co Ltd.

Also awarded at the event were non-government charity organizations, ecological protection associations, media outlets, and individuals.

China Charity Festival was initiated in 2011, and has now evolved into one of the most influential events in the field in the country.