From November 21 to 23, 2025, the China Foundation Forum (CFF) held its annual conference at Yun’an Huidu Hotel in Kunming, Yunnan.
The event was hosted by the Beijing Jiye Evergreen Social Organization Service Center, with support from the Yunnan Provincial Department of Civil Affairs and China Association for Non-Profit Organizations (CANPO). The Yunnan Association of Social Organizations served as the event organizers.
Closing ceremony of the China Foundation Forum 2025 Annual Meeting
This year’s annual conference, themed “Creating Sustainable Value Together,” marked the 17th consecutive CFF annual gathering. More than 1,000 participants from 31 provincial-level regions attended, over 60% of whom were first-time participants. The three-day event featured two main forums, multiple parallel-level forums, a data release conference, an evening gala, a symposium, two thematic archive exhibitions, a charity bazaar throughout the event, and Open Day activities held by local organizations.
1. Upholding Values and Navigating Historical Cycles Together
Amid tightening resource allocation and increasingly stringent compliance requirements, conference speakers emphasized prudence, rationality, and a values-driven approach. As uncertainty reaches historic levels, the forum explored how the philanthropic sector can adapt and respond.
LIN Chaomin, professor at Yunnan University and member of the Yunnan Research Institute of Culture and History, delivered a keynote speech highlighting the longstanding charitable traditions of Yunnan’s diverse ethnic groups. He noted that this “culture of kindness” is both a cultural legacy and a spiritual force that continues to nourish today’s philanthropic sector.
Professor Lin Chaomin delivering a keynote speech
ZOU Weiquan, Secretary-General of the Rural Women Development Foundation Guangdong, sressed that an organization’s access to resources does not determine its potential. Instead, a steadfast commitment to values is what enables organizations to withstand economic cycles.
Secretary-General ZOU Weiquan speaking during the Annual Observation session of main forum
GAO Rui, founder of That Spark Ltd., urged philanthropy leaders to prioritize people above all. She called on leaders to establish internal support and feedback systems, advocating for a culture that actively invests in people.
Gao Rui, founder of That Spark Ltd.
In the current era of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, technology is creating more possibilities for philanthropy. JIU Chun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Alibaba Foundation, cautions that while AI becomes increasingly intelligent, we must also be mindful of making it more benevolent.
JIU Chun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Alibaba Foundation, speaking at the sub-forum “Intelligent Symbiosis: AI Transforms a New Landscape for Sustainable Philanthropic Value”.
Against the backdrop of economic downturn and ESG transformation, how can corporate foundations balance upholding values and innovation? Several secretaries-general from corporate foundations engaged in in-depth discussions on this issue.
Roundtable: “Navigating the Cycle – Corporate Foundations’ Strategic Choices Amid Economic Downturn and ESG Transformation”
LV Quanbin, Vice Chairman of Beijing Jiye Evergreen Social Organization Service Center, delivered a speech during the Reports Release Session. He shared three explorations in promoting the development of philanthropic sector, namely: the pilot version of the China Philanthropic Sector Electronic Library, the Foundations’ Data Platform, and the Foundations’ Professional Service Information Database.
LV Quanbin, Vice Chairman of Beijing Jiye Evergreen Social Organization Service Center
2. Diverse Perspectives Shaping a Comprehensive Sectoral Landscape
On the afternoon of November 21, the Beijing Jiye Evergreen Social Organization Service Center hosted a data conference unveiling major industry achievements:
- the official launch of the Foundation Data Platform,
- release of the FTI2025 observation results,
- publication of reports on foundations’ pathways in the philanthropy and charity sector, and
- thematic analyses on investment and compensation.
Audience View of The Data Release Conference
LIU Zhongxiang, Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Association for Non-Profit Organizations (CANPO) and Visiting Professor at Soochow University’s International Red Cross College, emphasized that adhering to the principle of “truthfulness, completeness, and timeliness” in information disclosure is the foundation of industrybase of data work and an objective reflection of the objectivity of industry insights.
LIU Zhongxiang, speaking at the Foundation Industry Data Release Conference.
No matter how vast the challenges, “people” remain the ultimate purpose of philanthropy. Efforts within the sector are fundamentally aimed at meeting individuals’, aspirations for a better life, also the underlying theme of this year’s forum: Creating Sustainable Value Together.
In his keynote, Lu Ming, a distinguished professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and executive dean of the Shanghai Institute for National Economy, stated: “Investing in people is the key to unlocking economic growth and consumption potential.” In an era of constant population mobility, he urged the sector to focus on each individual and respond to both immediate needs and long-term development through targeted philanthropic services through the tide of the times.
Professor LU Ming during a keynote speech at the opening forum.
TONG Xinran, executive director of the China NGO Center for Disaster Risk Reduction, noted that as social risks grow more complex, every organization and individual must repare for ”abnormal state.” Emergency philanthropy, characterized by uncertainty and unpredictability, has become a new normal and plays a crucial role in addressing livelihood issues.
Executive Director TONG Xinran, at the “Observer’s View” session of the main forum
Reports released during the parallel forums included:
- the Map of Philanthropic Projects on Aging Issues in China,
- the Global 100+ Near-Zero Carbon Scenarios Survey Report, and
- the China Corporate Foundation Observation Report (2025).
Philanthropic practitioners continue transforming reflections on pressing social issues into concrete action—such as support systems for vulnerable children, aging-focused philanthropy mapping, integration strategies for flexible workers, and green practices aligned with near-zero carbon goals.
3. Joining Hands to Shape a New Journey of Philanthropic Value
In her closing remarks, YANG Tuan, researcher at the Institute of Sociology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, affirmed the conference’s achievements: rich content, focused themes, and notable progress in strengthening the infrastructure of China’s philanthropic and charitable sector and preserving its legacy of compassion.
YANG Tuan delivering closing remarks
Ms. Yang emphasized that philanthropy is not a standalone field but rather “like salt”, permeating all sectors of society and driving deep cultural transformation. In the context of China’s evolving economic structure, she urged foundations to move beyond traditional project logic and redefine their role within a broader value-creation ecosystem. The success of a foundation, she said, lies not only in the funds it donates, but in its ability to propel value circulation, support community and social prosperity, and create long-term ecological and social value.
The China Foundation Forum 2025 Annual Conference concluded on this inspiring note. Emphasizing patience, empathy, and a thoughtful outlook toward the future, participants left Yunnan with renewed insights. Through the shared commitment to Creating Sustainable Value Together, a nationwide network of NGO professionals is now better equipped to collaborate with communities, partners, and research institutions, advancing collective efforts toward a better, more sustainable tomorrow.
