Partnering with the China Women's Development Foundation, Volkswagen established centers to help children recover from post-disaster psychological trauma.

In addition, a program was launched to equip schools with water-purification systems and health facilities to ensure clean drinking water for thousands of children.

Junior football and education are other recipients of the company's charity.

With worldwide fascination for soccer and the company's close connection to international football clubs, Volkswagen Group China is also involved in fostering junior football.

To help identify future talent, Volkswagen works with the China Sports Foundation and the Chinese Football Association to support youth football camps in the 13 locations where the company has plants.

In March, the Zhidan and Hong'an junior football teams visited Germany as part of the Volkswagen-sponsored Rainbow Bridge Project.

In October, with support from Volkswagen, star football player and coach Roy Praeger of VfL Wolfsburg provided training for about 400 children in Beijing, Changchun and Shanghai.

Acknowledging that the prosperity of a nation depends on education, Volkswagen Group China said it is cooperating with more than 30 universities on scientific projects in China.

With about 90,000 employees, the group has also established a volunteer program to encourage staff to participate in projects such as the Volkswagen Group China Dream School and as Volkswagen Group China Child Safety Ambassador.

They also help children from socially deprived families. In mid-November, a volunteer activity was held at Beijing Mingyuan School, one of the first schools established for children of migrant workers in Beijing.