China’s first official charity website was launched by the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) on Thursday.

The website, www.juanzhu.gov.cn, will provide statistical and factual information concerning social welfare and charity programs in the country, along with related laws and regulations. It aims to promote charities and public welfare activities. Visitors to the website can submit comments and suggestions on how to improve the social welfare system.

Zhang Xinguo, vice secretary-general of China Charity Federation, said the establishment of the website demonstrates MCA’s “supportive attitude” toward China’s public welfare and charity organizations.

The website now operates in simplified and traditional Chinese. An English webpage is in the works, according to Pang Chenmin, vice director of the MCA Disaster Relief Department.

(Xinhua News Agency October 29, 2004)