Comparative Study On The Foundation Of Foreign Activities

When the first foundation of the new China‐‐Children’s Foundation of China was founded in1981, foundations began to participate in the social division of labor. They demonstrate concern for social problems, shoulder collective responsibilities and explore effective ways to promote social development. Globalization and the information technology revolution have brought us the Western social and political ideas and systems since the Reform and Opening up, and the excellent achievements and practical experience of international foundations have continuously innovated the concepts of Chinese foundations. With the gradual and further development of the Socialist Market Economy, the foundation system has progressively matured. Scholars at home no longer restrict their study in problems like the inner governance and legal system construction of foundations; instead, close attention has been paid to the exterior influence of them. Meanwhile, the relationship between foundations and international politics and public policies has also become items on the agenda. Recently, China has been part of the competition in ideology, values, system and modes, political opinions, national spirit, national image, the influences of cultural tradition as its economical and political strength has greatly improved. This article aims to provide valuable references for Chinese foundations’ better participating in international activities and Chinese public diplomacy by analyzing the current situation of Chinese foundations’ taking part in international activities and comparing it with the excellent and successful examples of American foundations. The whole passage is divided into five parts. The first part elaborates the concept and feature of different foundations in China and the US and analyses issues related to foundations research, such as the relationship between non‐governmental organizations and foundations, the distinctions and relations between people‐to‐people diplomacy and public diplomacy and the role foundations play in public diplomacy. The article explores that foundations, as a special kind of non‐governmental organization, are important actors whether in early civil diplomatic activities or present booming public diplomatic activities.The second part mainly looks back to the current development of the foundations in China. It focuses on China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation and China Youth Development Foundation’s participation in international activities, in which SCLF lays its emphasis on international communication, while CFPA and CYDF have already stepped abroad and have been involved in international salvage. The study suggests that Chinese foundations’ involvement in international activities is not much, but several foundations have realized the significance of stepping on the international stage and have launched some international rescue operation in their practical work.The development of American foundations id discussed in part three, in which great emphasis is attached to the relationship between the Ford Foundation and China and the important role the Fullbright Program plays in American public diplomacy towards China. The article holds that foundations alone or by cooperating with the US government has broadcast their charity behaviors and values through the programs they launched in China, thus making them an indivisible part in the US diplomacy.The fourth part analyses the differences between Chinese and American foundations in development process, cultural traditions and contacts with the outside world, and suggestions are put forward to help develop Chinese foundations in this kind of beneficial comparison. On the one hand, the government should provide policy guarantee. On the other hand, the system of internal control should be improved, the participation of multinational enterprises is supposed to be actively promoted and education on charity ought to be advocated among citizens. And foundations have to properly extend their fields, ways and programs in foreign aid.