SHENZHEN has been listed as the third-most charitable Chinese city in a new ranking by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

    In the list issued Saturday night, the ministry ranked 294 cities based on six criteria, including nonpublic donations, volunteer service, charity organizations, government support and the cities’ philanthropic culture.

    Beijing topped the list, followed by Shanghai, according to the charity index.

    The index was created in 2007 by the ministry and its affiliated research institution. It was the third list issued, following rankings in 2011 and 2012.

    Shenzhen’s per capita donation topped China in 2011, reaching 384.17 yuan (US$61), according to the 2012 Chinese Charity Blue Paper issued by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

    Nearly 97 percent of China’s super-rich fund charity work and it has become a way of life for many of them, according to the 2010 Hurun Wealth Report.(Mu Zi)