The Chinese government has started to solicit advice from the public to a draft guideline for the development of the country's charities in the next five years in a move to attract more public attention to the cause.

People can post their advice for the draft guideline for the development of China's philanthropy during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015) via the website or email to wp@mca.gov.cn by midnight on July 13, according to a statement published on Saturday on the Ministry of Civil Affairs's website.

China will step up efforts to introduce and amend laws and regulations that manage donations and voluntary services, as well as the registration of non-governmental organizations, private non-enterprise units and foundations, according to the draft.

The draft guideline said the government will further support charity organizations with their principal role in carrying out fund-raising activities and also improve the third-party evaluation system to enhance their credibility among the public.

China will also improve and implement policies that provide preferential tax treatment for individuals, enterprises and organizations that make donations, according to the draft that has been also published on the ministry's website.

The ministry's draft guideline also pledges that more efforts will be made to increase the transparency of donation procedures, management and use. The actual effect of donated money and materials will be disclosed and subject to government and public supervision.

The 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006-2010) witnessed a sharp increase in social donations. In 2006, the total amount of donations exceeded 10 billion yuan for the first time, and it surged to more than 70 billion yuan in 2010.

By the end of 2010, social organizations registered in China had increased to 440,000 from 310,000 by the end of 2005, among which the number of foundations increased from 975 to 2,168, according to the draft.

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