China’s Charity Law went into force on September 1, 2016, thereby laying out the legal foundation for the development of the philanthropy sector. The Law is designed “to develop a philanthropic industry, nurture a philanthropic culture, responsibly regulate charitable ventures, protect the legitimate interests and rights of charitable organizations, donors, volunteers, beneficiaries, and other participants, contribute to social progress, and share development outcomes.” Although the Charity Law is the first necessary step for the creation of a supportive legal environment for philanthropy in China, there are still many challenges in need of addressing.

The “China Charity Law Handbook”, initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China, is a comprehensive analysis of the Law with the primary aim to provide guidance on its application. The Handbook provides practical insights and takeaways to assist field practitioners, guide the charitable work of both international and domestic organizations, offer materials for academic research, and provide evidence and advice for policy makers. We hope this Handbook can serve as a comprehensive source of reference material to expand awareness about the economic value of charity and promote its role in China’s ongoing development, contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.