Yingshan county's transparency on donations earns kudos

Yingshan county in Huanggang city, Hubei province, recently received online praise from the public for its excellent management of received donations.

Since Feb 8, the county has been listing names of donors, whether organizations or individuals, and the money or items donated on its official website. From bulk emergency supplies to individual donations such as 30 yuan ($4.3), two boxes of instant noodles or two bottles of disinfectant, everything has been listed.

In addition, the website also lists how the county government and the Yingshan County Charity Federation spend the donated money, including sums distributed to local hospitals and social welfare institutions.

The key to donations is transparency and guaranteeing their proper use. That is why Yingshan county's management of donations has won wide acclaim. It not only demonstrates administrative capability, but also the spirit of serving the people. After the novel coronavirus broke out in Hubei, help poured in from across the country by way of donations. The donors rightfully want to know if the money and items they sent were received and properly distributed among the needy, especially after irregularities committed by the Red Cross Society of China, Wuhan branch, created an online stir.

In such circumstances, properly listing information about donations and how those are spent by local governments and charity organizations is an obligation and a significant way to remove doubts in the minds of people and gain their trust in the fight against the virus.

- WANG YIQING, CHINA DAILY