On January 16–17, 2024, the 7th Philanthropy Grand Ceremony was grandly held at the Beijing International Convention Center! Co-hosted by YiYang Media, the Century Spotlight program team, and numerous domestic mass media outlets, the event embraced the theme “Philanthropy Never Stops.” Its aim was to promote the spirit of philanthropy, advocate for charitable actions, and build a platform for deep dialogue, communication, and cooperation. Through these initiatives, the event sought to convey positive energy, encourage goodness, and propel social progress. As the most influential annual event in the philanthropic and charity sector, the Grand Ceremony provided outstanding opportunities for exchange and cooperation, contributing to the continued prosperity of public welfare.
01 The Philanthropy Grand Ceremony
This year’s grand ceremony was divided into three major chapters: “The Social Responsibility and Commitment of Philanthropists,” “The Development and Legacy of Philanthropic Endeavors,” and “The Night of Philanthropic Images.” Each segment focused on hot topics in the philanthropic sector and invited representatives from various fields to share their experiences and achievements in public welfare. Interactive segments such as “Educational Philanthropy,” “Health Philanthropy,” “Star Philanthropy,” “Philanthropic Project Launch,” “Rural Revitalization,” “Short Films on Philanthropy,” “Philanthropic Calligraphy and Painting Session,” and “Dialogue on Philanthropy” provided diverse perspectives and reflections to drive the growth of the sector.
The event not only comprehensively reviewed the progress of philanthropy over the past year but also explored trends for 2023. It especially honored the annual Philanthropy Image Ambassadors and presented awards to outstanding individuals, short films, enterprises, and projects in philanthropy, recognizing their remarkable contributions.
Over 500 representatives from philanthropic enterprises, organizations, and media across China actively participated in the event. Notable attendees included:
Wang Baohua, former Party Secretary of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee’s Department of Administrative Affairs; Wang Shengli, former Executive Deputy Director of the State Council’s Administrative Office; Major General Jia Xueyang, former Deputy Director of the Political Department of the General Staff Department of the PLA; Liu Shengrong, former Deputy Director of the Research Institute of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate; Yao Xiaofei, Secretary-General of the Organizing Committee of the 7th Philanthropy Grand Ceremony and Chief Producer of Dialogue on Philanthropy; Lyu Yiping, Vice President of Haihun Film Group; Gao Feng, lawyer at Jiangsu Shida Law Firm; Guo Jinyong, President of YiYang Media; Wen Guohong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Beijing Shuanggao Baohu Enterprise Management Center; Xiao Guining, Ambassador for Environmental Philanthropy; Yao Jitong, Member of the CPPCC Anqing Committee, Founder and President of ICSO International Philanthropy Support Organization;
Wen Yuelong, Chairman of Shanxi Shengchi Enterprise Management Consulting Co., Ltd.; Chen Jiangang, Chairman of Deepwide Ying Hubei Construction & Decoration Co., Ltd.; Zhao Lixin, Chairman of Chizhou Yihe Eco Co., Ltd.; Yang Yongan, Chairman of Guizhou Jingrui Environmental Protection Co., Ltd.; Gao Xiuyun, Chairman of Beijing Bole Juxing Film & TV Culture Communication Co., Ltd.; Manzhudali, President of Xi’an Manzhada Group; The Chen Weihong Charity Foundation; Greentown Love Foundation, and more. This magnificent gathering injected new momentum into the development of philanthropy.
02 Receiving the Honor
Gates Yao, Founder of ICSO International Philanthropy Support Organization and Chairman of Moutong Capital, was invited to attend the 7th Philanthropy Grand Ceremony in 2024. After previously being recognized as the youngest recipient of the 2022 Hurun Rich List U30 and as a 2023 Role Model in China’s Education Industry, Gates once again received the prestigious title of “2023 Outstanding Philanthropist” for his outstanding contributions and leadership in the field of public welfare. This honor not only acknowledges his personal achievements but also recognizes the remarkable role his organization plays in fulfilling social responsibility and advancing philanthropy.
03 Speech Highlights
The event gathered philanthropists, entrepreneurs, celebrities, thought leaders, and media figures who shared their insights and experiences in public service. President Gates Yao delivered a compelling speech on “Philanthropy and the Development of Social Enterprises in the New Era,” which garnered widespread attention.
Yao emphasized that social enterprises—driven by a commitment to “business for good” and “technology for good”—should leverage capital and government coordination to pursue scalability and holistic impact. He stressed the importance of building an ideal society aligned with China’s vision of common prosperity. Looking ahead to the next five to ten years, he predicted that China’s philanthropic model would enter a new era—Philanthropy 2.0 and 3.0—on par with Western standards.
To encourage diversity and innovation in philanthropy, he proposed the development of a unique online social evaluation system to identify fresh, context-appropriate design directions. These efforts would aim to cultivate a new generation of outstanding social enterprises, bringing vitality and innovation to the sector.
Discussing the future of philanthropy, Yao stated that advancements in technology provide charitable organizations with more innovative tools and channels to efficiently and widely promote public welfare. By integrating cutting-edge technology, organizations can better address social challenges and enhance sustainability.
Additionally, he stressed the urgency of global cooperation and cross-sector collaboration. In facing global challenges, he called for strengthened partnerships among international charitable organizations. Cross-sector engagement can promote resource sharing and accelerate the global expansion of philanthropy, better serving the needs of societies worldwide.
04 A Shared Philanthropic Future
As the world’s largest Chinese student-led charitable organization, ICSO has remained committed to its mission of “advancing global philanthropic development” since its inception. Through relentless efforts, it has successfully established a global public service platform for Chinese students. This year’s grand ceremony reaffirmed ICSO’s commitment to expanding philanthropy. ICSO will continue working hand-in-hand with like-minded partners to further spread the power of good and stride confidently toward a brighter future.
Closing Remarks
The 7th Philanthropy Grand Ceremony enhanced cooperation among diverse social groups and gathered widespread support to promote the vigorous development of the public welfare sector. It not only provided a high-level, interactive platform for philanthropy but also created a new paradigm for its growth. We firmly believe that the continuous innovation in this field will create new forms of social value. We look forward to more socially driven enterprises joining this spirit-led community and contributing to building a more prosperous and compassionate world.
