CapitaLand Hope Foundation, the philanthropic arm of property developer CapitaLand, has set aside $735,000 to set up a special fund for underprivileged children in China.

The donation is part of a longer-term partnership with China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, the largest accredited charity foundation for reducing poverty in China.

The money will support programmes to help underprivileged youngsters up to 16 years old. They include providing rehabilitation treatment for children with physical disabilities as well as schoolbags and study materials to children from low-income families.

The foundation has donated more than $20 million since it was established in 2005 to fund programmes for the educational, housing and healthcare needs of underprivileged children in Asia. "As one of the first foreign real estate companies to enter the China market close to 20 years ago, we are committed to give back to the local community," said Mr Tan Seng Chai, the foundation's executive director.