The latest China Charity Awards have expanded the philanthropic landscape of the textile industry. On September 1, the Ministry of Civil Affairs announced the 13th edition of the awards, honoring three individuals and one enterprise from the textile sector, with cumulative donations exceeding billions of yuan. Behind these figures lies a clear signal: the industry is shifting from a profit-driven to a responsibility-driven model. When leading companies embed charity into their strategic DNA, the ripple effects will be felt by small and medium factories and buyers across the supply chain.
Event Context
This edition recognized 92 teams, individuals, projects, and trusts. The textile sector claimed four spots: Xu Lianjie, former vice chairman of Hengan International, was posthumously awarded the 'Charity Model' title; Bosideng received the 'Donation Enterprise Award'; Li Guilian, chairman of Dayang Group, and Yang Xun, vice chairman and general manager of Xuri Group, were honored with 'Donation Individual' awards. The winners span home textiles, down apparel, suits, and diversified groups, indicating that charitable investment has become a common practice across textile segments.
Notably, these philanthropic efforts are not short-term stunts. Xu Lianjie's personal and corporate donations exceeded RMB 1.1 billion and RMB 2.1 billion respectively, spanning nearly four decades. Bosideng's cumulative donations reached RMB 1.55 billion by 2025, covering 600 counties nationwide. Li Guilian led Dayang Group to invest over RMB 150 million, establishing special funds. Yang Xun's Xuri Group has donated more than HKD 3.5 billion. The commonality: long timeframes, broad coverage, and systematic operation.
Industry Impact
The significance of charitable investment goes beyond reputation. For textile enterprises, systematic philanthropy strengthens supply chain resilience by stabilizing employees and improving regional business environments. It also enhances brand premium—international buyers increasingly value suppliers' ESG performance. Bosideng's 'Warm China' initiative, running for over 20 years, serves as tangible proof of social responsibility. Moreover, it attracts young talent who prefer value-driven employers. Li Guilian's education funds and Yang Xun's cultural preservation projects resonate with this demographic.
The ripple effects on the supply chain deserve attention. Leading companies' philanthropic models offer a template for smaller factories: they don't need huge donations but can start with employee mutual aid funds or local community support. Buyers can incorporate charity records into due diligence as an auxiliary indicator of long-term stability. Competition in textiles is extending from price and quality to responsibility and trust.
Practical Recommendations
For Buyers - Include suppliers' charitable activities and employee welfare in annual audits; prioritize those with systematic practices to reduce supply chain reputation risks. - Partner with suppliers on community projects, such as donating school uniforms or emergency supplies, to strengthen regional ties and create brand stories. - Study the 'foundation plus project' models of award winners like Bosideng and Dayang to enhance your own CSR strategy.
For Foreign Trade Enterprises - Establish a small but consistent charity budget, e.g., 0.5% of annual profits for employee support or education, to build auditable records for ESG scrutiny from Western clients. - Follow Xuri Group's 'industry-based charity' model by combining philanthropy with talent development, such as setting up textile skills training funds to address labor shortages and improve industry image. - Leverage government awards like the China Charity Awards as endorsements in international exhibitions or client communications to enhance credibility.
Charity is not an optional extra but a required course in long-termism. The four award-winning answers from the textile sector have already marked a clear starting point for latecomers.