The Western Returned Scholars Foundation (WRSF), a national public foundation headquartered in Beijing, organized a donation ceremony in the capital city to join efforts by society to contribute to charity.

The China Health and Medical Development Foundation, together with enterprises such as Shenzhen, Guangdong province-based Yinsheng Technology Services Group Co Ltd, donated over 78 million yuan ($12.2 million).

The money raised will be used in talent cultivation, education and healthcare-related charity programs, according to WRSF.

"In advancing the process of common prosperity, charity organizations should play a major role in third distribution, and gather social forces to benefit people. Efforts should be made to focus on talent cultivation, healthcare and education to promote the overall development of people and social progress, and create an open, transparent, high-quality environment," said Mo Wenxiu, the director-general of WRSF.

Zhang Rujie, deputy director general and secretary general of WRSF, said: "Under the country's new-development pattern, the foundation will join stronger forces from all walks of life, to make greater contributions to the country's charity undertakings."

In the past year, the foundation took part in a series of charity programs, including epidemic prevention and control material donation, rural revitalization, disaster prevention and rescue, and talent cultivation.

This year, WRSF aims at strengthening internal governance, and cultivating key projects in talent training, healthcare and education, to better serve the country's charity undertakings.