The philanthropic power of the textile industry is moving from behind the scenes into the spotlight. In the latest 13th China Charity Award list announced by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, three individuals and one enterprise from the textile sector were honored, with cumulative charitable donations exceeding RMB 6 billion. Behind these figures lies not just the flow of corporate wealth, but a signal of the industry redefining its social role in the context of 'tertiary distribution'.
Textile Presence in the Charity Award List
This edition recognized 92 teams, individuals, projects, and trusts, with the textile sector securing four spots across three award categories. Xu Lianjie, former vice chairman of Hengan International, was posthumously awarded the Charity Model Award; Bosideng Down Clothing Co., Ltd. received the Donation Enterprise Award; Li Guilian, chairman of Dayang Group, and Yang Xun, vice chairman and general manager of Glorious Sun Group, received Individual Donation Awards. The winners display distinct generational and geographical characteristics, ranging from first-generation entrepreneurs with over four decades in the industry to listed companies that have completed modern corporate governance transformations.
In terms of donation scale, Xu Lianjie personally donated over RMB 1.1 billion, while Hengan Group's cumulative donations exceeded RMB 2.1 billion. Bosideng and its foundation have donated a total of RMB 1.55 billion in cash and goods, covering 600 counties nationwide. Li Guilian led Dayang Group to invest over RMB 150 million, and Yang Xun's Glorious Sun Group has donated over HKD 3.5 billion. Together, these four exceed RMB 6 billion, equivalent to the annual revenue of a medium-sized textile enterprise.
Evolution of Philanthropy Models: From Ad Hoc Donations to Institutionalized Charity
Notably, the winners' charitable practices have surpassed simple fund transfers, showing clear institutionalization. Bosideng's 'Warm China' initiative, running for over two decades, donated high-quality cold-proof clothing worth over RMB 26.5 million in the 2024/25 fiscal year alone, precisely matching product strength with philanthropic needs. Li Guilian established a special charity fund in 2008 and added RMB 10 million in 2019, forming a normalized assistance mechanism. Glorious Sun Group set up a systematic philanthropy platform in 2005, operating continuously in education, poverty alleviation, disaster relief, and culture.
This shift means charity is no longer a 'fire extinguisher' for corporate crises but a strategic choice embedded in business operations. For the textile industry, the maturity of philanthropic models is becoming a new dimension for measuring corporate governance. When a company sustains a charitable project for twenty years, its organizational capacity, supply chain responsiveness, and brand credibility often create a positive cycle with core business.
Industrial Belts and Charity Geography: Triple Samples from Jinjiang, Dalian, and Hong Kong
The geographical distribution of winners outlines the charity geography of China's textile industry. Xu Lianjie was born in Jinjiang, Fujian, a key industrial belt for sportswear and hygiene products. Li Guilian's Dayang Group is rooted in Dalian, Liaoning, representing the transformation of northeastern textile and apparel. Yang Xun's Glorious Sun Group, headquartered in Hong Kong, connects the mainland with global markets. Their practices correspond to three development models: industrial clusters, traditional manufacturing, and cross-border trade.
For buyers and brands, charity records are becoming an implicit indicator in supply chain evaluation. International buyers increasingly focus on partners' ESG performance, and the sustainability of charitable contributions reflects long-termism more than one-off amounts. A fabric factory with institutionalized philanthropy often shows better labor compliance and environmental standards, providing downstream brands with additional risk mitigation signals.
Industrial Spillover Effects of Charitable Investment
The flow of charitable funds is feeding back into the textile industry itself. Looking at the winners' projects, areas like education support, intangible cultural heritage protection, and youth talent development align closely with the industry's workforce upgrade needs. Dayang Group's restoration of Lianshui Academy and documentation of intangible heritage essentially preserves textile cultural memory. Glorious Sun's youth talent programs prepare future labor for the sector. This 'charity-industry' loop transforms charitable spending from a one-way drain into a long-term investment in the industry ecosystem.
For small and medium textile enterprises, million-level charity scales may be unattainable, but the demonstration effect is clear: social responsibility need not wait until the company is large. Li Guilian initiated philanthropy during her entrepreneurial early days, and Xu Lianjie engaged in social affairs even when running a township factory, showing that charitable awareness can grow alongside business. This suggests charity is not a privilege of big corporations but can be embedded in daily decisions of enterprises of all sizes.
Practical Recommendations
For Buyers - Incorporate suppliers' charity records into ESG assessments, focusing on project duration and institutionalization rather than one-off donation amounts. - Prioritize factories with tangible investments in employee assistance and community development, as they typically have more stable labor relations and lower delivery risks. - Co-develop charity projects with suppliers, such as used-clothing recycling or fabric donations, to fulfill brand responsibility and strengthen supply chain cohesion.
For Foreign Trade Enterprises - Adopt the 'product + charity' model of award-winning companies, converting inventory or seconds into charitable goods to clear stock and enhance brand image. - When establishing special charity funds, invest first in education or technical training related to core business to create a talent feedback loop. - Proactively disclose philanthropic practices in overseas client communications as a non-price competitive advantage.
The evolution of charity lists reflects the changing values of the industry. When textile enterprises shift social responsibility from a cost item to an investment, they gain not only government recognition but also future competitiveness.