The civic participation in China survey: key trends in philanthropic and voluntary activities

The Civic Participation in China Survey (CPCS) is a nationwide, randomized online study of urban residents, conducted in four waves between 2018 and 2024. It examines philanthropic and volunteering activities, as well as perceptions of citizenship and civic engagement. This article outlines the survey’s methodology and analyzes trends in civic participation in mainland China, exploring connections to democratization and good governance. The study highlights complex dynamics in volunteerism under authoritarian rule. Volunteers acquire ‘citizen skills’ to navigate social problem solving, but generally reinforce state authority rather than challenge it. By 2024, respondents increasingly believed the state could handle crises independently, reflecting rising political centralization and performance legitimacy under Xi Jinping. Distinctions between state-led and citizen-led volunteerism emerge, with skepticism toward the authenticity of state-driven efforts. While civic participation fosters social trust and governance improvements, resistant ‘bad citizens’ reveal challenges in promoting philanthropy. These findings emphasize China’s delicate balance in managing civil society.