China’s billionaires showed a shortfall in philanthropic activities after only more than US$120 million worth of endowments were given to combat the Ebola outbreak outside the United States.

The donation was regarded to be small and showed an immature culture of charity in the second largest economy in the world.

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Even as the wealth and the success of companies in China are growing, donations to different good causes have not been ranked in significant numbers. A report from Reuters said that China has been ranked at the bottom list of countries whose people are giving donations to philanthropic activities according to The World Giving Index. The report also said China is a bottom contender when it comes to volunteering for charity or helping a stranger.

Data collected from a Chinese government agency said charity donations in 2013 reached 98.9 billion yuan which showed a recovery after two years of straight declines. On the other hand, the National Philanthropic Trust website said America's wealthy people donated more than US$335 billion.

Last month, The World Food Program urged Chinese companies and tycoons to give more aid in fighting the deadly Ebola virus. WFP’s China spokesman Brett Rierson said so far, no one has been willing to contribute anything big as of the moment.

Africa is the biggest trading partner of China and is where most Chinese firms have invested. Many of these companies operate in West Africa where the Ebola outbreak was reported to have killed about 5,000 people. Among these companies are China Henan International Cooperation Group, China Communications Construction Co Ltd. and Huawei Technology Co.

A representative from Huawei said the African market is important but refused to give any statement regarding philanthropic activities to aid countries hit by Ebola. China Communications Construction and China Henan were not available for comment, reported Reuters.

TagsUnited States of American, World Food Program, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., China Henan International Cooperation Group, hina Communications Construction Co Ltd., Reuters, Brett Rierson