WeChat, which is owned by Tencent Holdings Ltd., said that the business messaging service is specifically being designed for work-related communication. (Photo : Reuters)
Mobile Internet technology in China has changed the game with regards to soliciting donations for charitable organizations, with more and more asking for donations using social media and chat apps, allowing for easier donations and consequently raising questions regarding the authenticity of certain causes.
In a country where the law states that only public foundations can raise funds from the public, large grassroots charity organizations are now operating on the fringes of the law using the Internet.
Tencent Holdings launched an initiative this year, known as "Sept. 9 charity day," that encouraged people to give to their favorite causes by pledging to match donations to certain charitable foundations through WeChat.
The three-day campaign allowed public foundations to adopt the charity projects to grassroot organizations.
Liu Yi, founder of grassroots organization China Mangrove Alert System in Xiamen, Fujian Province, which aims to protect the country's mangroves, received over 44,000 yuan from 480 netizens during the campaign.
"Foundations' funding of one project usually lasts no longer than two years, and such funding was not stable, but the time we spent in lobbying foundations was too much," said Liu.
Liu's organization has set up a charity shop on Taobao so couples can plant mangroves named after the people who attended their wedding.
"Such a creative way of participating in charity has met people's need of doing something good and preparing special gifts for their loved ones," said Liu.
However, some have questioned if the system allows for donations to go to the places that need it the most.
Ding Chengcheng, secretary-general of the Union of Self-Disciplinary Organizations based in Shenzhen, is worried that the system will convince people to donate to charities that have touching stories instead of those with carefully thought-out plans to help those in need.
Ding has also expressed that the system puts grassroots organizations in less-developed areas at a disadvantage.
"Some program officers of grassroots organizations in western China could barely reply to an email, but you cannot deny that what they do is important in addressing social issues," said Ding.
There is also the case of the microblogger who claimed her father died in the Tianjin blasts and solicited donations to fund her education. Within 10 hours of her posting, she was able to raise more than 100,000 yuan from 3,700 netizens.
However, she was later discovered to be a fraud who lives in Fangchenggang, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. She was later arrested and the donations were returned.
