Authorities in Shenzhen plan to designate Nov. 1 as the annual Shenzhen Charity Day and November as Shenzhen Social Charity Donation Month, Friday's Daily Sunshine reported.

City government officials reviewed Thursday a draft regulation on the city's charitable work aimed at encouraging more people to donate to local charities. According to the regulation, civil servants and employees of public institutions will be encouraged to donate one day's salary Nov. 1 every year while enterprises and owners of private businesses will be encouraged to donate one day's profit.

The municipal government will also set up a Shenzhen Charity Award to honor once every two years institutions and individuals who have made significant charitable contributions. Legal representatives of companies and individuals who have exhibited a strong sense of social responsibility and contributed a lot to charity work will be allowed to run for posts in the city's legislature and top advisory body, according to the regulation.

Enterprises and individuals who make donations will be able to enjoy tax incentives including tax rebates and exemptions.

The public will be informed regularly on how charity funds are used, according to the regulation.

(Shenzhen Daily April 21, 2008)