BEIJING - Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo said on Friday that non-governmental charity funds are expected to reach 100 billion yuan (16.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2013, much higher than the 81.7 billion yuan in 2012.

"Last year, Chinese charity organizations continued to expand, with more than 3,500 foundations nationwide," said Li at the fourth annual charity meeting.

China's top legislature has included a law on philanthropy in its 2013-2017 five-year legislature program, with some regions already starting the legislative process, such as Fujian Province, Shaanxi Province and Shenzhen.

However, Li said that China still faces many challenges and will step up reform.

In 2014, the ministry will improve the registration system for social charity organizations and strive to innovate in charity fund management in order to create more ways for enterprises and individuals to participate in philanthropy, said Li.

Li also said that the ministry will tighten supervision over public charity organizations and establish multi-channel platforms publishing funds' donation information to increase credibility.

The fourth annual charity meeting was held Friday by the China Charity Alliance. At the meeting, 33 people were selected as "promoters of charity," including Nature Conservancy President Ma Yun and creator of the China-Dolls Center for Rare Disorders, Wang Yiou.