BEIJING, Aug. 19 -- People who have registered with a city government-run e-mail platform in Shanghai will be able to use their accounts to make charitable donations, officials from the Shanghai SMMAIL Administration Center announced yesterday.

    The shanghai Charity Foundation, which is working with the center on the program, says the platform's 700,000 registered local users make up a large pool of potential donors.

    "We hope the new service can attract more residents to the charity, and make donating as convenient as possible," said Ma Zhongqi, executive deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Charity Foundation.

    Users can choose to help individuals, or specific groups of people in need, such as people with medical problems and poor students. East Radio Shanghai will also help with the program by introducing a needy individual every week on one of its programs.

    Besides, individuals who need help will also be allowed to provide their detailed information through the platform. The foundation will verify their situation before donors can send them money, Ma said.

    The center will not charge any fees for transactions, so every penny donated will be transferred to the Shanghai Charity Foundation and finally reach the needy, said Ling Li of the SMMAIL Administration Center.

    The mailboxes, which can only be set up using a real name and ID card number, is a local government service provided to city residents. Since it was launched a year ago, users have been able to receive e-mails about their social security records, public utility bills, and local government announcements.

    Beginning yesterday, mailbox users will also be invited to take part in online opinion polls, organized by government bodies and other institutions. Since the mailbox requires real name registration, and has detailed information about individuals, the poll results will be much more reliable.

    (Source: Shanghai Daily)