While the past year has been a tough time for many businesses, activity on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) front didn't fall by the sideway. What's more promising is that a growing number of SOEs and companies in the private sector have created their own CSR programs for the first time, showing their leadership in corporate citizenship and social sustainability.

China Development Bank (CDB), one of the domestic companies with a highly regarded CSR practice, recently issued its 2009 social responsibility report, according to which the bank has provided RMB100m grass-root financing to support social development in 2009, including providing loans to one million students in poverty, helping combat natural disasters such as drought and flood, and facilitating the development of migrant worker training schemes.

 "While the world is facing the challenges of the financial crisis, climate change, income discrepancy and worries about energy and food security, the financial industry must help to maintain sustainable economic and societal development," said Chen Yuan, chairman of CDB. He noted that a bank's long-term social impact should weigh more heavily than its short-term business benefits.

Law firms have witnessed their PRC clients' evolving CSR initiatives that are allowing them to achieve rapid business growth whilst contributing to the general wellbeing of society and the local community. "As Chinese companies continue to expand and grow, they have realised the importance and positive impact of CSR on their brand and reputation - both with internal and external stakeholders," said Poh Lee Tan, managing partner of Baker & McKenzie's China, Hong Kong and Vietnam offices. "The drive by the governmental agencies to focus their efforts on building a harmonious society will also ultimately lead to an increase in CSR initiatives amongst Chinese companies."

In addition to advising corporate clients on designing and implementing tailor-made local CSR programs, law firms are also inspired to develop their own CSR initiatives.

 "We have seen an increase in the importance attached to CSR policies and efforts by clients.  Clients want to ensure that they are engaging with external counsel who also have the same passion and interest in CSR and where possible collaborate on joint CSR initiatives," said Tan.

The CSR efforts of Baker & McKenzie in China, for example, revolve around pro bono work, employee volunteering, scholarships and charitable giving. Recently, the firm assisted the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) - on a pro bono basis - with the establishment of the China Centre for Corporate Sustainability Research in partnership with the Renmin (People's) University of China, and its staff in Beijing and Shanghai raised donations to support various volunteering projects.

A number of domestic law firms are also increasingly participating in public interest projects and charity work. In 2008, King & Wood became the first PRC firm to set up its own public welfare foundation through which it provides a variety of forms of social support to disadvantaged communities. ALB