From November 1 to 2, 2025, the Institute for Global Public Policy (IGPP) at Fudan University, in collaboration with the Department of Social Policy at the LSE and organized by the LSE–Fudan Research Centre for Global Public Policy, successfully held the seminar “Policy & Politics of Philanthropy in Contemporary China.” The seminar explored how charitable governance navigates the interplay of policy frameworks, organizational networks, and cultural logics amid the evolving state–society relationship in China.

At the opening ceremony, Dean Yijia Jing of IGPP welcomed participants, emphasizing that profound social changes in China present a critical opportunity to rethink the relationship between politics and philanthropy. He expressed hope that the seminar would provide a platform for intellectual exchange, foster scholarly innovation grounded in Chinese experience, and offer new perspectives to the international academic community. Professor Timothy Hildebrandt, Deputy Head of the Department of Social Policy at LSE, also delivered remarks, highlighting the role of philanthropy as a key lens for understanding state–society dynamics and sustainable governance, and briefly introducing the seminar’s agenda and core topics.

The morning session focused on China’s nonprofit sector and the evolution of charitable networks. Professor Ming Hu from the University of Macau evaluated the policy environment of nonprofit organizations across four dimensions. Professor Yongdong Shen from Zhejiang University examined structural shifts in donation networks following the implementation of the 2016 Charity Law. Professor Qing Miao, also from Zhejiang University, compared donation flows between public and non-public foundations. Participants noted that these studies illustrate both the institutionalization of philanthropy in China and the growing social innovation capacity of nonprofit organizations.

The afternoon discussion focused on citizen altruism, gendered philanthropy, and nonprofit resilience. Professor Reza Hasmath from the University of Alberta, Professor Hildebrandt, and Zhenyao Li examined how economic security, social trust, and cultural values influence citizen donation behaviors. Professor Ling Han from the Chinese University of Hong Kong analyzed the contributions of women-led social organizations to public service provision. Professor Xueyong Zhan from Hong Kong Polytechnic University addressed the topic from an organizational management perspective.

On the morning of November 2, the roundtable on “The Future of Philanthropy in China,” moderated by Professor Hasmath and co-hosted by Professor Hildebrandt, focused on the evolving landscape of philanthropy in China. Participants engaged in lively discussions covering the dynamic relationship between the state and society and generational differences in philanthropic participation.