On November 18, the faith-based Amity Foundation marked its 40th anniversary in Nanjing under the theme "Love Is Eternal," welcoming more than 300 participants from across China and overseas.
According to Amity, the attendees included representatives from domestic and international Christian institutions, partners, charitable organizations, and foundation staff. Among them, 90 were foreign guests.
In the welcome speech, Qiu Zhonghui, Amity's board chair, highlighted that the foundation's 40 years of growth have been built on the trust and support of churches and partners across society, both in China and abroad. He expressed Amity's commitment to continue working with global partners to advance high-quality development of philanthropy in China.
Founded in 1985 on the initiative of Chinese Christians led by Bishop K. H. Ting, the Amity Foundation is an independent Chinese social organization committed to promoting education, public health, social welfare, community development, environmental protection, and disaster relief in China and beyond. Through participatory, people-centered development, the charity has benefited more than ten million people worldwide. A key branch of its work is Nanjing Amity Printing Company, established in 1986 as a joint venture with the United Bible Societies, which has since become China's main Bible printing base and one of the world's largest Bible printing facilities, supplying publications in 270 languages to 158 countries and regions.
Ling Chunxiang, vice board chair and general secretary, presented a 40th-anniversary work report during the morning's work forum, noting that the foundation has raised a total of six billion yuan, served more than 30 countries and regions, and directly benefited tens of millions of people. She highlighted Amity's ongoing dedication to promoting inclusive philanthropy, fostering a culture of charity, and supporting international relief and development. Looking ahead, the foundation aims to deepen community services, expand collaborative networks, and showcase the value of Chinese philanthropy through global partnerships.
Then a speech on the development path of philanthropy in China was given by Zheng Chenggong, president of China Association of Social Security, followed by a roundtable dialogue on new paths for tech-enabled philanthorpy from efficiency improvement to value deepening among professional panellists.
At the commemoration ceremony, Rev. Xu Xiaohong, chairperson of the National Committee of Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Church in China (TSPM), and Rev. Wu Wei, president of the China Christian Council (CCC), highlighted the close ties between Amity and the Chinese church since its founding, recognizing its sustained contributions to social services, support for the vulnerable, and innovation in public welfare, according to CCC&TSPM.
Rev. Xu noted that the foundation originated by Bishop K. H. Ting in accordance with the Christian principle of "love your neighbor as yourself" and has, for four decades, served as a key bridge linking Christianity with social welfare. He emphasized that Amity integrates the Christian spirit of universal love with Chinese cultural values of "benevolence" and "harmony," aligning its work with national development and advancing the sinicization of Christianity. The two sides have collaborated in Bible printing, social services, disaster relief, pandemic response, and poverty alleviation, contributing significantly to social development. Looking ahead, the Chinese Christian community will continue to support Amity's mission, ensuring that faith-based action meets social needs.
World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC Central Committee, extended their congratulations to the Amity Foundation, commending its unique role in fostering exchange among international Christian institutions and advancing social justice and human well-being.
"You also demonstrate how Christians can actively contribute to both social welfare and betterment in China as well as the larger international humanitarian endeavour," said Rev. Pillay. "Amity's wholistic orientation aligns so well, for instance, with the UN's 16 Sustainable Development Goals and applies as well internationally as it does in the whole range of your charitable and social-service activities at home in China."
"In the nearly ten years of the Amity International's office in Geneva, you have also proven to be positive and constructive partners with us in the WCC and with other faith-based organizations and the United Nations in fulfilling the larger aims of the foundation and of the ecumenical movement. We see you as exemplary and important partners in the ecumenical Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity, which invites Christians from all lands and all persuasions to rise above national boundaries and religious differences to work together for peace and justice."
Representatives from international partners, including Rev. Dr Eckhard Zemmerich of the European Network of Amity Partners and Thay Bone, executive director of Lutheran Hope Cambodia, shared their experiences collaborating with the foundation, commending its long-term commitment to international development and friendly exchanges. Two additional partner representatives reflected on their participation in Amity's "Exposure Tour" visitation activities.
During a story-sharing session, donors, volunteers, partners, beneficiaries, and staff recounted their faith-inspired experiences and philanthropic journeys with the Amity Foundation through testimonies and performances, reaffirming their commitment to the mission of "serving with love."
Donors from China and abroad presented commemorative gifts, including the "Holmut Star," symbolizing long-standing friendship. Professor Yan Gongda, honorary president of the National Calligraphy and Painting Education Association, inscribed the anniversary theme "Love Is Eternal," while philanthropist Xiao Ping contributed an original painting to support Amity's work. Japanese table tennis champion Matsuzaki Kimiyo and Atsuko Sasaki, wife of the late Chinese table tennis player Zhuang Zedong, presented Zhuang's calligraphy and were appointed as charity ambassadors of the foundation.
During the event, Amity signed new cooperation agreements with several institutions to advance public welfare initiatives in areas such as support for people with intellectual disabilities, elderly care, orphan assistance, and disaster relief.
The event concluded with trainees from the Amity Bakery presenting a 40th-anniversary cake, followed by a collective singing of "Happy Birthday" and a closing chorus performed by the Amity staff.
