China hopes to improve philanthropy through charity law: spokeswoman

Fu Ying (C, back), spokesperson for the fourth session of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC), answers questions during a press conference on the session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2016. The fourth session of the 12th NPC is scheduled to open in Beijing on March 5. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

BEIJING, March 4 -- Philanthropy is developing fast in China and the nation aims to standardize it through a charity law, a spokeswoman for the annual session of the country's top legislature said Friday.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference a day ahead of the Fourth Session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), Fu Ying said that the importance of charity law cannot be underestimated.

China has a tradition of helping the poor and needy, Fu said, citing that the amount of donation by social entities and individuals in 2014 reached 100 billion yuan (15 billion U.S. dollars), a big rise from the 10 billion yuan seen in 2004.

With the fast development of philanthropy, China is in an urgent need of a charity law that can protect the rights of donors and the needy, and punish fraud.