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This article provides the first comprehensive analysis of the development of, and public responses to, celebrity-fronted philanthropy in the People's Republic of China. It explores the extent and nature of celebrity philanthropy with reference to a sample of mainland Chinese celebrities in entertainment and sports. It then draws on interviews conducted with employees of large charities to examine the kinds of links that are being forged between China's not-for-profit sector and commercial organizations managing the work of celebrities. Finally, it analyses the responses to a national survey on celebrity and philanthropy. We conclude that the relationship between China's government, not-for-profit and celebrity sectors is becoming more professionalized and organized. This development reveals how the roles and capacities of government are being reconfigured and expanded, even as it also enhances the scope for action and the influence of new social actors and organizations to address government-led national development issues. (China Q/GIGA)

AbstractThis article provides the first comprehensive analysis of the development of, and public responses to, celebrity-fronted philanthropy in the People's Republic of China. It explores the extent and nature of celebrity philanthropy with reference to a sample of mainland Chinese celebrities in entertainment and sports. It then draws on interviews conducted with employees of large charities to examine the kinds of links that are being forged between China's not-for-profit sector and commercial organizations managing the work of celebrities. Finally, it analyses the responses to a national survey on celebrity and philanthropy. We conclude that the relationship between China's government, not-for-profit and celebrity sectors is becoming more professionalized and organized. This development reveals how the roles and capacities of government are being reconfigured and expanded, even as it also enhances the scope for action and the influence of new social actors and organizations to address government-led national development issues.

Studies have shown that crises such as natural disasters have been a catalyst for civil society in places like Japan, Turkey and Taiwan, yet scholars have so far paid little attention to the effect of crises on civil society in China. This article fills a gap in this literature by examining the 2008 Sichuan earthquake's impact on grassroots civic associations (or NGOs for short) in China. Drawing on survey data and interviews with NGOs involved with the Sichuan earthquake response and reconstruction, it shows that the earthquake provided an important catalyst for a previously quiescent NGO community. It discusses several areas in which the earthquake impacted NGOs that may translate into long-term gains for civil society in China. First, the earthquake created an unprecedented opportunity for NGOs to participate, network and show their worth on a public stage that received the attention and appreciation of the media and government officials. Second, it led to the emergence of NGO networks that drew in other actors such as the media, international NGOs, government-organized NGOs (GONGOs) and even government officials. Finally, it has stimulated ongoing public debates over, and pressures to change, the restrictive fundraising and policy environment for NGOs. These findings show that civil society development is not simply a function of government policy or international funding, but also of large-scale crises that expand the public space and need for NGOs. (China J/GIGA)

There is growing recognition that industry influences economic policy in China, but there is insufficient understanding of the specific tactics and strategies industry uses and how influential they are. This article reports the findings of the most systematic surveys yet to be conducted about the lobbying strategies of large-scale companies and national industry associations in China. It finds that companies across ownership forms are all more active and use a broader array of tactics than industry associations, but that the latter at first glance appear much more influential. An analysis of the data and additional evidence from interviews and other sources suggest that this paradox is more apparent than real. (China J/GIGA)