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processing corporations are thus motivated to develop CSR awareness and take
proactive actions, making CSR a hot issue that attracts attention from both
corporations and the society. On the other hand, with the progress made in China‘s
economic reform, a socialist market economy is being built and improved, in which
system the corporations are turned into independent legal persons, commodity
producers and operators that feature self-management and profit risks. The
enforcement of Corporation Law is a sign of the establishment of corporations‘ status
as legal persons, and as the legal subject of CSR. Later, other laws also came out,
including the Environmental Protection Law, Trade Union Law, Labour Law, Law of
Consumer‘s Rights Protection and Donation Law. The preliminary legal foundation
for implementing CSR in China has already been laid.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the Chinese government and people from all
walks of life are giving more importance to CSR. The year 2006 was a seminal year
for the progress of CSR in China, when for the first time CSR had been fully
recognized either legally or by national policies. It is stipulated in the revised edition
of Corporation Law that: ―Any corporation in its business shall abide by the law,
administrative regulations, conform to social and commercial morality, and stick to
the principle of honesty and trust. A corporation is also subject to supervision from
the government and the public and shall shoulder social responsibilities.‖ This is the
first time that China definitely demands in the law that corporations should shoulder
social responsibilities and to observe regulations and social morality. In the Central
Committee‘s Resolution on Several Important Issues Regarding Building a Socialist
Harmonious Society, passed in the 6th Plenary Session of the 16th Central
Committee of Chinese Communist Party, it is also clearly written that ―We should
carry out a widespread harmony-constructing campaign and mobilize everyone to
contribute to harmony. We should focus on the social responsibilities of our citizens,
enterprises and various organizations.‖
The concerned government departments and organs, including the National
Development and Reform Commission, State-owned Assets Supervision and
Administration Commission, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Health, Ministry of
Labour and Social Security, State Environmental Protection Administration, and
State Administration of Work Safety, are placing importance on CSR efforts. At
present, many Chinese corporations, especially state-level key corporations, are
taking an active part in undertaking CSR. The CSR drive in China is entering a brand
new era.
It is worth mentioning that, China Enterprise Confederation is the first state-level
employers‘ organization in the world that supports the United Nations ―Global
Compact‖. The Office of Promoting Global Compact has already been established,
which strengthens the international influences of Chinese enterprises.
China Reading Weekly: As far as you know, how is the CSR implementation
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