BEIJING, July 21 -- Charities in China have always faced a dilemma. While most enterprises and millionaires are indifferent to charitable activities, those who earn far less show more concern.

    Statistics show 99 percent of the 10 million registered domestic enterprises in China have never contributed to charitable causes. Funds managed by charitable organizations only constitute 0.1 percent of the GDP.

    The Beijing News reported the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation recently released a guideline declaring tax exemptions for five types of donations. The proportion of income a person donates to charity will not be taxed. For example, if a person donates half his or her income to charity, only the other half of his or her income will be taxed. The new move, according to a People's Daily commentary, is regarded as a response to a lack of policy support in encouraging charity activities.

    However, the commentary also points out policies cannot solve everything. An awareness of charity is more important. Only through developing a sense of responsibility among citizens can charities attract more attention to their causes.

    Policies cannot force enterprises and millionaires to donate more. The rich become wealthy through society, so they are obliged to make contributions back to society. Dying wealthy is a disgrace, while helping others is an honor. Everyone has his or her own attitude towards charity given individual backgrounds and experience, but charitable acts become easier to carry out with greater participation.

    The commentary acknowledges when well known figures donate lots of money or want to do more for charity, some people complain about their motives. People need a healthy awareness to help charities.

    The article concludes by saying no matter who you are, how much you donate and what purpose you have, people who do charitable works are worthy of admiration and should be respected.