As a Chinese idea goes, "The highest excellence is like (that of) water." Benevolence is a time-honored and world-recognized idea and behavior as well as a social civilization shared by all mankind. Throughout history, China has upheld the philanthropic behaviors that help the poor and the difficult, developing the fine tradition of doing good for people and the world. Good deeds for public interests were exemplified in actions, such as the establishment of public communes and schools and the supply of free rice by village families, relief of poor and sick people by religious monasteries, government's disaster relief by offering national stored grain, and social efforts to help vulnerable groups.