Profile: Hong Kong SAR

After Hong Kong came under the British rule in 1841, the colonial government played very little direct role in welfare provisions, leaving the care for the poor, sick, aged, delinquent, orphaned and other unprivileged groups to private initiatives.

In colonial Hong Kong, the orthodox social hierarchy of scholars-farmers-artisans-merchants did not apply in a practical sense. As there was no gentry class forming the basis of the administrative and political system, Hong Kong Chinese merchants were able, through their philanthropy, to achieve the leading position in the community that could only be enjoyed by the gentry on the mainland. They used to receive awards from the Government for their involvement in philanthropy either by being co-opted into the political structure or by being given honors. The government thus in a sense encouraged philanthropic activities.

According to the figures released by the Inland Revenue Department, individual philanthropic giving amounted to HK$3.39 billion and corporate philanthropic giving to HK$1.72 billion in 2004-05.

Hong Kong has a tradition of holding a "Flag Day," a day when philanthropic groups raise funds by selling flags with the help of volunteers. It is reportedly the most popular form of individual giving in the SAR, and even the unemployed are able to support various organizations by buying flags on the street. It may not be as easy to gather data on the philanthropy of those on the other end of the income bracket, Hong Kong’s wealthiest -- they also have a tradition of giving anonymously. 

Corporate philanthropy, on the other hand, has been in the past perceived as a venture for larger, multinational companies. Adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Hong Kong has been tentative, with small companies aiming for compliance with industry and environment standards rather than serving as channels for philanthropy. Hong Kong's top business executives are trying to change this, by pushing to professionalize philanthropy, and discussing how to make giving attractive for companies.

Read more - Asia Sentinel: "Giving Back"