Greater Bay Area integration seen as catalyst for upgrading mainland philanthropy
Policy experts at a Hong Kong forum said mainland China's philanthropy sector needs better legal frameworks and social service reforms. They suggested that the Greater Bay Area integration could help mainland charities learn from Hong Kong's mature philanthropic practices to drive a major upgrade of the sector.
The discussion took place during the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Philanthropy for Better Cities Forum. Academic Jin Jinping from Peking University stressed the importance of establishing robust legal and governance structures for charitable groups.
Former civil affairs official Wang Zhenyao, now heading a philanthropy research institute at Beijing Normal University, argued that mainland social services could undergo a significant transformation by adopting practices from Hong Kong's established charitable sector.
The integration of the Greater Bay Area could provide mainland charities with a practical pathway to professionalize their operations. If legal frameworks are strengthened and social services reformed, vulnerable populations may benefit from more effective and transparent aid. Policymakers could also use Hong Kong's experience to refine regulatory approaches, potentially fostering a more resilient and responsive philanthropic ecosystem across the region.