Charity sector leaders called on international companies to be more involved in socially responsible activities, before expanding their presence in countries and regions related to the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The public welfare undertakings by companies in foreign economies can not only promote their own business, but also create a good image of China and deliver the goodwill of Chinese people," said Chen Hongtao, vice-chairman of the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA).

"Enterprises cannot develop abroad without the support of local residents and charitable activities helping us integrate into local society," said Yuan Zhixiong, general manager of the Nepal Branch under China Gezhouba (Group) Corp.

The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was held between May 14 and 15 in Beijing. Announced by President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build a trans-Eurasian economic belt stretching from China to the Horn of Africa.

Lacking experience and the trained staff in the sector, Chinese companies involved in the Belt and Road should work with charitable institutions, which are more professional in public welfare activities, said Wang Xiaoguang, director of the Beijing RongZhi Corporate Social Responsibility Institute at a seminar on April 27.

With their neutral identity, NGOs - representing philanthropy, international humanism and public welfare - find it easier to win the favor of local people than companies, whose main purpose is making profits, Chen said.

A successful public project needs a full early investigation, clever design and professional execution and non-governmental organizations are experienced in it, he said.

He added that companies should act as a sponsor, supervisor and contributor instead of an implementor of public activities.

"We plan to strengthen cooperation with local friendly organizations and Chinese NGOs to create systematic charitable programs," said Yuan Zhixiong, who is also director of China Enterprise Association in Nepal.

In addition to the governments and companies, Chinese NGOs are also participants in the Belt and Road construction, which could help Chinese investment win broader support from local residents, Chen said.

Several public welfare organizations, such as the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation and China Young Volunteers, have already begun to work out of China and make charity projects in other countries.

The CFPA became involved in overseas aid starting with the delivery of assistance to victims of the Indonesian tsunami on January 1, 2005.

Since then, it has expanded its help to 16 impoverished countries and regions, including Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar and Sudan.

The Sudan-China Abu Ushar Friendship Hospital, located in a rural area of Sudan, was built by the CFPA and China National Petroleum Corp, and officially completed in July 2011.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs listed the Abu Ushar project as one of its Model Public Diplomacy Programs of 2011.

"We not only constructed a hospital for local people but also helped to send Chinese doctors for them," Chen said.

He said that for aid projects, building and construction work remained important, but the focus should shift to the "software" side of public work, such as teacher training.

Chen said that during previous international aid programs, his organization found that it was more effective to have face-to-face "emotional" interaction with welfare recipients, rather than constructing schools and hospitals.

mengfanbin@chinadaily.com.cn