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Article

1 Sep 2014

Author:
Huang Hongxiang, China Dialogue

Chinese companies stuck in image crisis when overseas

...More and more Chinese companies are paying attention to CSR. This has been an important change in how they work overseas in the last few years and could help to solve the difficulties they face. The experiences of Western firms investing overseas show that CSR can reduce conflict over environmental and social issues and create a positive corporate image...

Unfortunately many Chinese firms have realised they need to undertake CSR, but have no idea how. They don't take environmental protection seriously, but then plant some trees. Labour relations are bad, so they build new offices for the government...

The last three years have seen some Chinese companies and diplomats try to change this. For example, aviation company AVIC International started its first major long-term CSR project in Kenya...to help reduce Africa’s youth unemployment problem, gives technical training to young people, in turn helping Chinese firms that struggle to find qualified staff locally...

Good CSR isn't just making charitable donations with a portion of your profits. It is about linking local development with the development of your firm.