Transparancy of Chinese charities unsatisfactory

Beijing (CNS)—Chinese charities are more transparent this year than last year, according to a report released on December 29 by the China Charity and Donation Information Center.

The information center under the Ministry of Civil Affairs indicates that the transparency index for Chinese charitable organizations has risen by 4.1 percent from 2010.

Liu Youping, deputy director of the information center, said 2011 saw an unprecedented level of public interest in Chinese charities, especially their information transparency. Meanwhile charitable organizations in China made their best effort to improve transparency under the most careful supervision from the government.

He said the report was based on investigations into the completeness, promptness, accuracy and accessibility of information, including public questionnaires and online monitoring and comprehensive interviews with 1,000 organizations randomly chosen across the country.

Investigations show that while charities have made considerable progress this year they are still falling far short of the public's expectations. Only eight percent of the survey respondents were satisfied in this respect, one percent lower than last year.

Analysts attribute the general dissatisfaction to netizens' growing doubts about social integrity, the increasing consciousness about donors and beneficiaries' rights, and easier access to certain kinds of information with the assistance of new media like microblogging.

Based on a five-star transparency assessment system, 355 charities were rated as 3-star or above. The report also announced the top 10 organizations in seven categories, namely public fundraising foundations, non-public fundraising foundations, charitable societies, Red Cross societies, non-governmental organizations, grassroots groups and overseas groups.

The report states that the limited capability mustered by underdeveloped Chinese charities conflicts with the public's high expectations, which in turn discourages openness and information. Charitable organizations must take the initiative to further increase information sharing. The authorities and the public should offer more direction and support，the report concluded.

The China Charity and Donation Information Center has released its annual reports on the transparency of charity organizations since 2009.