Most private enterprises in China make efforts to meet social responsibilities, with older business owners more active than their younger peers.

According to a national survey on private companies, more than 84 percent of entrepreneurs in the private sector have donated to charity. Assisting in social welfare is an important way for business owners to give back to society, the survey result said.

Enterprises mainly contributed to social welfare through cash donations, road construction and investment in education.

Not surprisingly, the size of donations is related to the scale of enterprises, with larger companies giving more. Amounts vary from just 100 yuan up to 80 million yuan. The survey found that the total value of donations is 32 percent higher than two years ago.

The survey also shows that older entrepreneurs are more active in participating in charity than younger ones. Entrepreneurs aged under 30 are the least active group among donors, with 56 percent of them willing to assist or already donating.

Those between 40 and 60 years old are the most active participants, with 80 percent of the age group active with donations.

The China Guangcai Program, initiated by over 10 private enterprise owners 11 years ago, aims to help people living in regions with lagging economies. The effort has seen entrepreneurs contribute over 100 billion yuan, helping 3 million people find employment and has assisted over 5 million people to rise out of poverty.

(China Daily February 10, 2007)