ABSTRACT
The general development of voluntary action is of key importance, not only for its own sake but for the sake of social care. Considering the political reality and social traditions of China it may have a very long way to go. Many people did not recognize fully the significance of the policy societalizing social welfare. They always criticize the poor quality of services provided by some private welfare agencies. Officials, on behalf of the government, insist on the necessity of societalizing social welfare in order to meet increased and still increasing demands for welfare services. The Chinese government's policy on 'societalizing social welfare', coupled with its orientation towards the development of non-governmental welfare agencies and professional social work, may be thought a reasonable response to the new situation. The development of voluntary action is of key importance, not only for its own sake but for the sake of social care.
