Jingyan Donates to Support PKU China-Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center, Fostering China-Europe Cultural Exchange through Philanthropy

Jingyan Donates to Support PKU China-Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center,
Fostering China-Europe Cultural Exchange through Philanthropy

On June 6, 2025, the donation ceremony for the China-Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center (CEPIRC) at Peking University was held at Linhuxuan. As a major donor, the Beijing Jingyan Foundation will provide support for the center’s international exchange, academic research, and innovative practices in the field of philanthropy, helping to promote cultural dialogue, mutual learning, and the pursuit of global peace and sustainable development.

Attending the ceremony were Mr. Romano PRODI, former Prime Minister of Italy and former President of the European Commission; Mr. HE Guangcai, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council of Peking University; Mr. WANG Bo, Vice President of Peking University and Vice Chairperson of the Peking University Education Foundation; Mr. DONG Zhiyong, Vice President of Peking University and Director of the China-Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center; and Ms. SONG Yan, Chairperson of the Beijing Jingyan Foundation. Ms. SONG also delivered a speech as the representative of the donors.

At the event, Ms. SONG Yan, representing the Beijing Jingyan Foundation, signed a donation agreement with Mr. LI Yuning, Secretary-General of the Peking University Education Foundation and Secretary of the Party Working Committee of University-Run Enterprises, and Mr. WANG Qinghong, Executive Director of the China-Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center. Following the signing, Peking University leadership presented the Beijing University Education Contribution Award to the Jingyan Foundation in recognition of its outstanding support for education and philanthropy.

Philanthropy Along the New Silk Road: From Ancient Camel Bells to Modern Benevolence

Two thousand years ago, the camel bells and sails along the Silk Road connected Eastern and Western civilizations. Today, philanthropy has become the “messenger of the new Silk Road.”

In March 2019, the presidents of China and Italy jointly witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of the China-Italy Philanthropy Forum (CIPF). In November 2022, both sides signed a second-phase memorandum, marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation. The China-Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center at Peking University was established as one of the major achievements of this collaboration.

With a vision to build a professional international platform for top-level research, dialogue, and action in philanthropy between China and Europe, the Center is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary development, theoretical innovation, empirical evaluation, and policy advocacy in the field of philanthropic innovation—contributing to sustainable development, common prosperity, and the building of a community with a shared future for humankind.

In 2025, the Beijing Jingyan Foundation made a generous donation to support the Center, helping to foster international exchange and cooperation in education and philanthropy. This contribution not only reflects Jingyan Foundation’s active participation in global dialogue but also represents a concrete step in aligning with China’s national strategy and promoting mutual understanding between civilizations.

At the donation ceremony, Ms. SONG Yan remarked that philanthropy is the warmest force of human civilization. She noted that China’s traditional wisdom of “benevolence and compassion” and Europe’s innovative models of modern philanthropy converge on the platform of the China-Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center at Peking University. Through the integration of academic research and practical action, the Jingyan Foundation hopes to distill the shared experiences of Chinese and European philanthropy and bring more hope to the world.

Jingyan’s Global Philanthropic Footprint

In recent years, the Jingyan Foundation has actively engaged in international exchange, visiting several European philanthropic organizations such as the Zegna Foundation to discuss topics including life and health, cultural exchange, and sustainable development.

In November 2024, multiple international political and business leaders—including Mr. Romano PRODI (Former Prime Minister of Italy and Former President of the European Commission), Mr. Pier Ferdinando CASINI (Senator of the Italian Republic and Co-Honorary Chair of the China-Italy Philanthropy Forum), and Mr. John ELKANN (Chairman of Ferrari Group and Chairman of the Giovanni Agnelli Foundation)—visited the Jingyan Foundation to exchange ideas and experiences on global health, development, and philanthropy.

This donation to the China-Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center at Peking University supports Sino-European exchange and collaboration in education and philanthropy. It stands as another testament to the Beijing Jingyan Foundation’s commitment to “civilizational exchange and boundless charity” and marks a firmer step forward for the Foundation on the international philanthropic stage.

Ms. SONG Yan stated that, standing at the historical coordinates of the Silk Road, we are not only beneficiaries of civilizational exchange but also authors of the chapters yet to come. The Beijing Jingyan Foundation looks forward to working with global partners to build a transnational philanthropy collaboration network, incubate innovative charitable initiatives, and contribute “benevolent” solutions to the shared future of humanity.