HSBC’s charity efforts in mainland China - building resilient communities
Our charity milestones in mainland China:
| 1990: | Began our continuous philanthropic efforts in mainland China. |
| 1997: | Launched the “HSBC China Philanthropy Elderly Care Programme”, marking the beginning of our long-term support to the development of mainland China’s elderly care sector. |
| 1999: | Launched the HSBC Wetland Management Training Programme, and later a number of environmental protection projects including the “Investing in Nature” programme, the HSBC Climate Partnership Programme and the HSBC Water Programme. |
| 2004: | Began our continuous support for rural development programmes. |
| 2005: | Began our continuous support for financial education and teenagers’ emotional wellbeing programmes. |
| 2008: | Donated RMB18 million and raised another HKD200 million from the Hong Kong public for the Wenchuan earthquake relief and post-disaster rebuilding. |
| 2012: | Began our continuous support for programmes to help disadvantaged children. |
| 2013: | Launched the HSBC Community Partnership Programme which continues until now. |
| 2021: | Launched the HSBC Climate Solutions Partnership Programme, with a focus on nature-based solutions and energy transition to tackle climate change. |
| 2023: | Established the HSBC Philanthropy Foundation in Beijing, reaffirming our commitment to having long-term, sustainable social impact in mainland China. |
| 2024: | HSBC Philanthropy Foundation released its latest strategy. |
HSBC Philanthropy Festival was hosted by HSBC Philanthropy Foundation with its partners in Beijing in March 2026.
HSBC Philanthropy Foundation’s mission: building resilient communities
Our flagship programmes:
HSBC Children-Grow Initiative
Since 2005, HSBC has been supporting child development in mainland China, with a total funding of approximately RMB400 million, focusing on children’s protection and education.
The HSBC Philanthropy Foundation launched the programme to equip a wider range of children with skills needed for their healthy growth including socio-emotional skills and financial literacy, as well as to support disadvantaged children, through a sustainable service network.
An event was held in Beijing in July 2025 to improve community children’s financial literacy.
HSBC Nature Resilience Initiative
Since 1999, HSBC has rolled out seven flagship programmes on environmental protection, with a total funding of approximately RMB400 million. We were recognised by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration for our efforts in wetland protection, as well as by the Ministry of Agriculture for our efforts in aquatic life protection.
Following the establishment of the foundation in 2023, we have taken action in a range of areas:
- Supporting more communities in building beautiful environment at a low cost,
- Reducing the negative impact of production and daily life on the environment,
- Enabling community residents to access sustainable natural resources through the ecological environment for their livelihoods,
- Raising public awareness of the importance of the community’s natural environment and encouraging their participation.
HSBC plays a role in the ecological restoration of classical Chinese gardens.
HSBC Elderly Care Initiative
The programme is designed to support disadvantaged elderly people in living dignified and decent retirement life.
We launched the HSBC China Philanthropy Elderly Care Programme in 1997. For nearly three decades, we are committed to supporting the development of mainland China’s elderly care sector.
Since the establishment of the foundation in 2023, we have taken action to help disadvantaged elderly people in urban and rural areas obtain professional care and live a dignified life:
- Cultivating professional service organizations and caregivers to make dignified and decent retirement life more accessible,
- Promoting cross-sector collaboration to drive exploration of innovative models and solutions in the elderly care service industry,
- Supporting the development of relevant industry standards and policy advocacy to promote the standardized growth of the industry.
Song Wenying, a caregiver, carefully helps an 81-year-old woman with limited mobility get dressed.
HSBC Rural Resilience Initiative
Since 2004, HSBC has been supporting rural development in mainland China through charity projects, aiming to help rural communities achieve sustainable growth.
With the goal of “building more resilient, stable and sustainable rural communities”, we have taken action in the following areas:
- Economic resilience: Empowering villagers to increase their income and upgrade local industries, and creating sustainable livelihood models for villages.
- Social resilience: Improving public services for the elderly and children in villages, and enhancing villagers' sense of cohesion and well-being.
- Environmental resilience: Promoting the development of emergency response mechanisms, raising awareness of climate change and environmental protection, and fostering sustainable development.
Wang Jiexian from Pingjiang, Hunan, is sorting and drying purple sweet potato noodles. With the support of the HSBC Rural Resilience Initiative, she is trying to turn her hometown’s local products into a more stable source of income.
HSBC Urban Resilience Initiative
HSBC launched the HSBC Community Partnership Programme in 2013 to help individuals or organisations address pain points in community development.
Focusing on issues of common concern, the HSBC Urban Resilience Initiative helps community residents develop the capabilities to identify needs, coordinate resources and solve problems.
We collaborate with communities to help delivery service providers enhance their capabilities and livelihoods.
To learn more about the HSBC Philanthropy Foundation, please follow and subscribe our WeChat official account: HSBC Philanthropy Foundation Beijing.