China's elite scramble for path to Xi's 'common prosperity'

Lavish donations inspired more by fear of the state than by altruism

Delivery drivers rest outside a shopping center in Beijing. The treatment of gig workers by Chinese companies has been harshly criticized. © Reuters

NAOKI MATSUDA and IORI KAWATE, Nikkei staff writers

September 3, 2021 06:30 JST

SHANGHAI/BEIJING -- China's tech billionaires have suddenly been going out of their way to spread around their wealth. Giant sums have been lavished on altruistic endeavors in recent weeks. There's little coincidence that this surge follows President Xi Jinping's "common prosperity" campaign.