Examining Charity Sector

Oriental Outlook
September 19

The reputation of charity groups, especially the Red Cross Society of China, took a major hit in 2011 when a woman used social media to claim she managed an organization under the Red Cross Society of China and openly flaunted her wealth and extravagant lifestyle online. According to the China Charity and Donation Information Center report, the total amount donated was 84.5 billion yuan ($13.8 billion) in 2011, down 18.1 percent from the previous year. In 2012, the number continued to drop to 70 billion yuan ($11.4 billion).

In spite of shrinking funds, changes are taking place in China's public sphere. For example, "good Samaritans" are gaining popularity online. Using social media platforms such as micro-blogs to alert people to those in need around them, good Samaritans uphold the belief that small good deeds add up to larger societal change. According to Web portal Sina.com.cn, its good Samaritan platform cooperated with 300 philanthropic organizations, won netizens' support for 1,000 projects, helped over 6,000 people in need and raised 6.7 million yuan ($1.1 million) in 2012. Other Web portals have also launched their own good Samaritan platforms.

Online trends in 2012 such as "take a photo with your parents" and "save Lu Ruoqing"—a young woman who was diagnosed with leukemia—won much support from netizens.

A Return Voyage

Guangzhou Daily
September 23

On September 15, an airplane returned to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to fetch a passenger while it was preparing for take-off. It was for a desperate mother who had missed the last plane. She hurried home because her daughter had been killed in a car accident. After asking the opinion of passengers on board, the airport recalled the plane and let the woman onboard.

This is good news for China's aviation sector, which has seen much public criticism. According to a report by the China Consumers' Association at the beginning of 2013, the association received 543,338 complaints in 2012. Complaints relating to aviation services increased by 51.4 percent compared to the previous year. Based on this information, the on-time rate and after-services of delayed planes is in need of serious improvement.

The decision to pick up the woman has shown a possible change in the situation. With the rapid development of high-speed railways and the presence of foreign-funded airlines, competition in the transport sector is growing increasingly fierce.

Historical Architecture Preservation

Guangming Daily
September 24

Various forms of world famous architecture are being copied in urban residences across China today. For example, Guangsha Tianducheng Residential, a luxury real-estate project built in a European style, is currently under construction on the outskirts of Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. Tourists can take a tour of two of the world's most beautiful cities, Paris and Venice, in a single afternoon by visiting the site, French media reported.

In contrast, construction featuring significant Chinese cultural elements is disappearing. Not long ago, several professors urged local governments to protect historical villas in Gulangyu, in scenic beachside Xiamen, Fujian Province. These old villas were built by Western architects between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This reflects the current trend in Chinese urbanization. On one hand, property developers blindly pursue Western styles and copy world famous landmarks to attract consumers. On the other hand, many cities in China have not attached importance to the preservation and protection of historical buildings during rapid urban expansion.

Divided Housing Price

China Newsweek
September 16

China's real estate market, which has been booming for over 10 years, is entering a new phase. On the one hand, housing prices in first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen remain high; on the other hand, second- and third-tier cities are seeing signs of oversupply, indicating that risk in the real estate market is mounting.

Such a situation is the result of population migration. Around 600,000 people come to live in Beijing every year. The need for housing keeps increasing alongside that of land supply, which has led to high prices. However, in third-tier cities, as the population keeps flowing out as a result of the scarcity of attractive jobs and quality educational and medical resources, middle- and long-term housing needs are weak.

The problem is that no fundamental reform of the land or taxation system is in sight. Local officials whose political performance is mainly gauged by GDP have no other choice but to cash in on land sales.

However, over the past two years, land appropriation compensations have become increasingly high and income from land transactions has been shrinking, leaving local governments ridden with debt.