Founded in 1979 in Hong Kong, China Overseas Holdings Limited is a leading property, construction, and property management company. Beyond its business success, the group has consistently demonstrated its commitment to corporate social responsibility through extensive community initiatives. Since 2005, the company has leveraged its expertise in planning, design, construction, and management to fund and build China Overseas Hope Schools in poverty-stricken areas of mainland China. To date, the company has supported 12 such schools through its China Overseas Charity Foundation.
Commitment to Community and Social Welfare
China Overseas Holdings Limited’s community care and outreach programs are designed to address social needs in alignment with the company’s business focus. In 2008, the group established its CSR Committee under the name China Overseas Charity Fund Limited, with the guiding principle “The Sea has no Limit and Love has no Boundary.” This initiative focuses on three core areas: Education Development, Environmental Protection, and Poverty Relief.
Believing that every child deserves access to education and an inclusive society, the company has worked closely with NGOs such as TREATS in Hong Kong. To date, China Overseas Holdings Limited has donated over HK$156 million to support poverty alleviation, disaster relief, education, and overall community well-being. These efforts have garnered widespread public recognition and awards, including China’s Outstanding Charity Contribution Award, the Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Award, the Hong Kong Corporate Citizenship Award, and the 5 Year Plus Caring Company logo by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
Integrating CSR into Corporate Strategy
As part of its good corporate citizenship initiatives, China Overseas Holdings Limited actively participates in charitable and environmental activities across Hong Kong and Macau. The company believes that sustainable development requires active engagement from senior management. To ensure effective CSR implementation, a dedicated CSR Committee was established in 2008 to oversee the group’s sustainability efforts, regularly reporting its findings to the President.
This committee, composed of representatives from the group’s departments and subsidiaries, is responsible for formulating and coordinating CSR policies. It conducts annual reviews and reports on progress, ensuring that policies and initiatives align with the company’s broader vision for responsible corporate governance.
A Structured Approach to CSR and Education
The company’s CSR framework is built on five key pillars: corporate governance, environmental sustainability, employee welfare, community engagement, and product responsibility. To ensure transparency and efficiency, the group has developed the China Overseas Hope Schools Donation Guideline, which standardizes the donation process.
To measure the impact of its educational initiatives, China Overseas Holdings Limited collects data on the number of teachers, student participation rates, class sizes, and graduation rates. Additionally, public recognition, stakeholder feedback, and awards serve as key indicators of the program’s success.
Fostering Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
Recognizing that effective CSR requires active dialogue, China Overseas Holdings Limited prioritizes open communication with stakeholders. By understanding the perspectives and expectations of the community, the company continuously refines its policies and programs to ensure they meet evolving social needs. Through its strategic approach to sustainability, China Overseas Holdings Limited demonstrates how responsible corporate leadership can drive positive change for both business and society.
