China

This chapter provides an overview of the meaning, development, and role of volunteering in modern Chinese society. Fundamentally, volunteering in China is underpinned by traditional virtues and cultural values such as benevolence, harmony, and selflessness. The communist ideologies of dedicating one’s life to serving the people and helping others also help to shape the perception of volunteering. While the top-down initiatives of the state contributed to the growth of volunteering in China, recent mega-events such as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, and the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou further raised the profile of volunteering in the country. As a result, volunteering has transformed from compulsory service to a respected position, generating significant economic benefits. Volunteer workforces seem to be concentrated in large cities. Sport volunteers are comprised of mainly students, perhaps due to the perception that volunteering offers opportunities for social networking and enhancement of one’s employability. Despite the legacies of recent mega-events, volunteering for community sport remains an uncommon practice. There is a need to develop a better understanding of volunteering and activities involved, with regulations to protect the rights and interests of volunteers. Research is required to inform future volunteering policies and strategies in China.