Research initiative to study how corporations in the Chinese Mainland create social value

The Institute of Philanthropy (IoP), established by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust, has launched a three-year research initiative in collaboration with Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management (GSM). The project will investigate the strategies, motivations and practices through which leading philanthropic corporations in the Chinese Mainland create social impact.

This research comes at a pivotal moment for philanthropy in the Chinese Mainland, with the China Philanthropy Donation Report 2024 recording charitable donations of RMB151 billion in 2023, of which 76.6% came from corporations.

“This collaboration reflects our commitment to supporting the philanthropic sector in China through research that delivers practical guidance and actionable tools,” said Lester Huang, Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy. “By examining how corporations create social value, the project will provide businesses with insights to strengthen their giving strategies, inform policy frameworks that encourage participation, and build capacity across the sector. In doing so, it will help business entities maximise their social contributions and ensure philanthropy delivers broader and more sustainable benefits to society.” 

Professor Liu Qiao, Dean of GSM, and Jin Jinping, Associate Professor at the Law School of Peking University, will co-lead the research team with support from colleagues in the Law School and National School of Development.

This collaboration reflects IoP’s commitment to advancing philanthropy through knowledge, networks, and regional engagement, fostering locally grounded approaches and cross-sector dialogue to strengthen philanthropic practices in Asia. As part of a broader effort to deepen understanding of giving practices rooted in Asian contexts, this initiative will contribute to a growing body of work that connects research with practice and ideas with action.