How charity can begin at home

Officials in China do not hog the spotlight after retirement. But Wang Zhenyao is an exception. He is perhaps a more popular figure now as head of Beijing Normal University's One Foundation Community Research Institute than he was a month ago as the director of the Ministry of Civil Affairs' Social Welfare and Charities Division (SWCD). Does it have anything to do with his transformation from a high-ranking official to a "social activist"?

It's a meaningful change from being manager to participator in China's charity cause, says Wang. The new role will help "me to do more practical things, especially at a time when the country is facing so many social contradictions".

Wang had won public praise as much for his work as director of SWCD as for his pertinent and forthright comments on and response to many charity issues. He says three factors are preventing the building of a sound charity system in China: official monopoly of charity foundations; low level of professionalism, efficiency and transparency; and poor sense of philanthropy. The efforts to rectify the situation has made him an even busier man today as he rushes from one forum to another and manages to find some time in between to talk with journalists.