Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft Corp., wrote an editorial on the People's Daily, the country's Communist Party newspaper, and encouraged more people to do more for China's poor, according to a Reuters report.

The Gates editorial came out right after Chinese internet giant, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., announced that it established a charitable trust to address environmental and health problems. The charitable trust is estimated to be worth US $3 billion and considered to be the biggest in Asia.

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In the editorial, Gates wrote, "China has many successful entrepreneurs and business people. I hope that more people of insight will put their talents to work to improve the lives of poor people in China and around the world."

According to the World Bank, the average income per capita in China was $6,091 in 2012. But the country's rapid economic growth has exacerbated a rural-urban wealth gap, with people in many rural areas living on annual incomes below $1,000 and struggling with access to adequate healthcare.

Gates pointed out that investing in China's poor people would require a community effort to solve the problem of poverty.

However, the potential of philanthropy in China is still a far cry when compared to countries that are known for charitable acts. According to the Charities Aid Foundation's The World Giving Index, which is a list of countries that determines the number of its people who donate money for charity, China's ranking is located at the bottom.

The report also pointed out that some affluent Chinese opt not to help out because they fear that generous donations could invite unwanted attention of their wealth.

In an earlier report, Gates told Reuters in an interview that he thought the Chinese people would follow the lead of the government when it comes to donations and to support worthy causes.

"I believe the returns on investment in the poor are just as exciting as successes achieved in the business arena, and they are even more meaningful!" the editorial added.

TagsBill Gates, Microsoft Corp., Poverty, People's Daily, Philanthropy