To date, HSBC has donated more than RMB 60 million to support education programmes in mainland China, benefiting young people from kindergartens to universities, as well as youths who are deprived of learning opportunities.

HSBC commits HK$2.42 million to launch 'Zippy's Friends' to enhance the emotional well-being of children in 140 kindergartens in Shanghai by the end of 2009.

HSBC supports development of rural schools. With the Bank's support, rural school teachers attend a teacher training course in 2006. More than 20 rural schools in Chongqing and Beijing are donated necessary teaching equipment and furniture in 2005.

To support business education, HSBC funds the launch of an economics course in 11 high schools in Beijing and Shanghai. HSBC also awards scholarships to outstanding students at Mainland universities. Above, an HSBC employee is teaching economics at Beijing No.2 Middle School.

In collaboration with Shanghai Charity Foundation, HSBC launches the 'Wings Under the Sun' programme in 2005 to provide high school-level education, vocational training opportunities and job referral services for 800 youngsters from low income families.

Education for children with special needs is an area of focus for HSBC. Apart from donating equipment to children's home and special schools, HSBC has been a staunch supporter of the HSBC/China Charity Federation Disabled Children's Art Exhibition. The annual exhibition raises the public's awareness of the needs and talents of this special group of children. Above, visually impaired children appreciate art exhibits using their sense of touch.

Exchange programmes between art conservatories in Hong Kong and mainland China opportunities to learn from each other. Above, a Mainland student performs Cantonese opera during a visit by Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts students.

In 1997, the Hongkong Bank Foundation donates HK$25 million to establish the China Charity Federation Fund. In addition, the Foundation works with the Red Cross to provide disaster relief.

Since 1999, HSBC has been supporting vocational training for jobless workers in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao and Beijing. More than 15,000 people have received training and over 50% of them are reemployed.

HSBC sponsors vocational training and job referral services for migrant workers in Shanghai, Beijing, Dalian and Qingdao. Above, a woman from Henan province finds a job at an elderly home upon completion of her retraining course.

China's first textbook on elderly care, which is jointly compiled by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, is published behind funding from HSBC. The new textbook contributes to the professional development of elderly care training in China.

For many years, HSBC has been supporting China Charity Federation to organise training courses in various locations for managers and frontline workers of elderly homes.

With HSBC's sponsorship, the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation and the China National Disabled Children Rehabilitation Training Centre jointly establish a China Disabled Children Rehabilitation Resources' Development Base. Through training and education, the base improves the rehabilitation services received by China's disabled children. Above, a child is regaining her ability to use her hands with help from a children's welfare home worker.

HSBC has a long history of providing disaster relief in the Mainland. Through the Hong Kong Red Cross and the Red Cross Society of China, more than RMB 15 million has been donated to date. Above, an HSBC employee is distributing rice to disaster victims in Sichuan Province.

In order to enhance the ability of children's welfare home workers to serve children living with HIV/AIDS, China Charity Federation organises training course in different parts of China with support from the Hongkong Bank Foundation. HSBC also sponsors a summer camp for kids living with the disease.

Through a 5-year global environmental programme 'Investing in Nature' launched in 2002, HSBC has increased its support towards wetland and plant conservation. HSBC works with WWF to launch training programmes in China on the appropriate use of wetland resources.

Lake Hong used to be divided into small fishing areas by fishnets, which severely damaged the lake's environment and biological diversity. With HSBC's sponsorship, these destructive fishnets are removed and birds are returning to the lake. Above, HSBC and WWF staff inspect Lake Hong.

Lake Zhangdu is one of HSBC Yangtze Programme's demonstration sites. After four years' effort, Lake Zhangdu is seasonally connected to the Yangtze. Improved water quality attracts the return of 14 species of fish to the lake, and allows catch rate to increase by 17%. With support from evolving credit facilities, quality bamboos are grown to feed the fish instead of using chemical fertilizers. As a result, economic conditions of local farmers have improved. With HSBC's support, Pere David's Deer and finless porpoise conservation areas at Tian'e Zhou Oxbow are being developed to provide a better environment for these endangered species. Above, children in Nanshan Village near Lake Zhangdu, David's Deer and Finless porpoise all benefit from a better environment.

HSBC's donations allow Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), an international environmental charity, to conduct professional training, translate internationally-acclaimed textbooks and hold public education exhibitions. Above, plant conservationists participate in a training course sponsored by HSBC.

Through Earthwatch, an international environmental organisation, two HSBC employees spend two weeks in Australia to help scientists protect local species. From 2001 to 2006, more than 2,000 HSBC employees worldwide participate in scientific environmental research on paid leaves.

Since 1998, the Bank has been sponsoring the HSBC Wetland Management Training Programme at the Mai Po nature reserve in Hong Kong. Organised by WWF, the programme has trained more than 1,000 officials who involve in the management of wetland reserves on the Mainland.

The Haifeng Wetland Project is aimed at promoting conservation and wise use of wetland at Guangdong's Haifeng Nature Reserve, an important stopover for over 40,000 birds each winter.

A calendar sponsored by HSBC as part of a public education programme is being presented to local residents. The calendar aims to raise awareness of the protection of mangrove plants in the Zhangjiang Estuary. With support from HSBC, WWF contributes to the well-being of the Zhangjiang Estuary Nature Reserve through education, training and research.

In addition to providing financial support to Mainland charities, HSBC also encourages its staff to volunteer on regular basis. Above, an HSBC staff teaches English at the local primary school.

HSBC's commitment to serving the community has been widely recognised. For two years, HSBC has topped the Forbes list of multinational companies for its philanthropic contributions in mainland China.