China's banking sector issues first social responsibility report

BEIJING, May 10 (Xinhua) -- China Banking Association (CBA) issued the
first report of its kind in the country on banking sector's social
responsibility on Sunday.

The report, China Banking Sector Social Responsibility Report, introduces
the banking sector's efforts in promoting public welfare and environmental
protection.

The report said the banking sector donated 1.01 billion yuan (148.09 U.S.
dollars) on public welfare covering education, culture, sports, health, science
and environmental protection in 2008.

The banking sector has provided loans worth of 205.36 billion yuan (30.2
billion U.S. dollars) by March end to earthquake-hit areas for relief and
reconstruction, said China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) Saturday.

The banking sector has been giving loans to disadvantaged groups, for
example students who have difficulties to continue with their college education,
the report said.

Founded in 2000, CBA is a non-governmental organization with 81 full members
and 37 associate members.