New Regulations for Foreign NGOs in China Could Lead to Exodus

New Regulations for Foreign NGOs in China Could Lead to Exodus
Mar 26, 2015 By eChinacities.com

Editor's Note: This article from the Chinese media discusses new proposed regulations the Chinese government has set forth for foreign NGOs. The author recognizes that most foreign NGOs have only done good while working in China, but believes that a small minority of foreign NGOs are only in China to forward subversive political agendas. The article proposes the question of whether or not the new regulations will lead to a large withdrawal of foreign NGOs from China.

The Chinese government recently proposed new legislation to strengthen the management of foreign NGOs. International NGOs have already voiced concern over the potential new regulations. Media analysts said that if international NGOs decide to pull out of China because of various new constraints, the Chinese government is not currently not prepared to fill the vacancies left by the organizations. Therefore, if a large number of international NGOs leave China, the Chinese people will suffer. On the other hand, the media pointed out that there are hundreds of foreign NGOs in China that try hard to push their own political agenda.

The South China Morning Post reported that China plans to further restrict foreign institutions that operate within its borders. The central government is currently developing new regulations to prohibit foreign NGOs in China from “violating Chinese social ethics.” Activists worry that these new regulations could severely restrict NGO activities and cause a large number of organizations to withdraw from China.

New Restrictions for NGOs

China has previously launched various operating restrictions for a number of categories of foreign companies. U.S. tech companies, for example, must submit products for safety tests and must create open source software. The Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences estimated that there are over 6,000 foreign NGOs in China, with 40 percent from the United States. Tsinghua University counted 10,000 foreign NGOs operating in China.

Foreign NGOs in China cover a number of issues including environmental protection and combating pollution, the improvement of governance, and the reduction of poverty. The CCP has often not done enough in the areas covered by foreign NGOs. Other NGOs assist in training journalists or promoting gay rights in China. These areas are still controversial within China.

In China, NGOs already face many restrictions. Donations must be correctly registered and recorded. Foreign NGOs and the over 500,000 local Chinese NGOs in existence must have the correct business enterprise registration or else attempt to operate illegally without proper authorization.

The new draft regulations for NGOs include a ban on both fund raising and setting up new branches in China. A government spokesman said that the new regulations will be implemented because of national security issues.

A National Security Issue?

Foreign NGOs will now need to be sponsored by government agencies and will be subjected to surveillance by the Ministry of Public Security and the provincial Public Security Bureau. An unnamed foreign director of an NGO in China said, “We've heard rumors saying that the purpose of this new legislation is to get rid of us.”

National security is also an issue for the central government. Two foreign NGO employees were recently deported from China because of visa issues. It is easy for foreigners to enter China on a tourist visa and then work for an NGO. In recent years, more and more foreigners have come to work for NGOs on tourist visas making this a particularly sensitive issue.

China's latest regulations may cause a large number of NGOs to leave the country. Those who stay behind in China, may find it difficult to operate effectively. Although, there is a need to monitor the activities of foreign NGOs, however, if the new rules are too strict then it will slow or stop the operations of many NGOs that are needed to help improve the lives of those in China.

China must be show that the authorities are not trying to run foreign NGOs out of the country and must be careful when developing guideline for the organizations. If the government is not careful, there may be consequences. Overseas companies are finding it increasingly difficult to operate in the Mainland and continue to withdraw from the country. Wealthy citizens are also emigrating from China.

A number of international NGOs may decide that is it not worth their time and effort to remain in China under the new restrictions. If the Chinese government is unable to fill the gap left by the NGOs, then the Chinese people will be the ones who suffer.

According to incomplete statistics, there are 1,000 or so foreign NGOs that have set up shop in China long-term. There are also a number of organizations that carry out short-term projects in cooperation with other organizations. The total number of NGOs with projects in China is most likely between 4,000 and 6,000. Hundreds of millions of dollars flow into China every year through foreign NGOs to support causes such as poverty, helping the disabled, environmental protection, health, and education.

A Love-Hate Relationship

China has something of a love-hate relationship with foreign NGOs. Chinese People's Public Security University professor Wang Kui said that on one hand, foreign NGOs bring international capital into China as well as advanced technology and skilled managers. The presence of foreign NGOs is conducive to the advancement in the fields of science and technology, and the improvement of the people's welfare and livelihood. Chinese NGOs can also play an active role in the promotion of international development. On the other hand, there are issues with certain types of foreign NGOs that cannot ignored.

Wang Kui said that out of thousands of foreign NGOs in China there are a few hundred that have politically questionable agendas. These foreign NGOs use cultural activities, donations and other projects for subversive means including pushing an ideological agenda, collecting information on Chinese politics, economics, and technology for Western military intelligence, and creating internal conflicts by meddling in Chinese affairs. NGOs that work with development aid, assist the vulnerable and work in issues like unemployment, landlessness, urban demolition and veterans often cross the line when they put out a call for “rights.” This often confuses the public and alienates the government. Other foreign NGOs are involved in planning and supporting street politics, and issues such as ethnic separatism. These foreign NGOs have an impact on China's national security, and social and political stability. NGOs that work with these issues are seen as a threat or a hazard by the Chinese government.

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Keywords: Foreign NGOs in China China Regulations NGOs

25 Comments

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Guest2368048

NGO mass exodus.... It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. ~Krishnamurti

Mar 30, 2015 21:57 Report Abuse

gouxiong

I am reading with amusement the 'qualified'comments of people who are making their living in China and whose majority not so long ago strongly supported banning of Confucius Institute in the West.

Mar 30, 2015 09:13 Report Abuse

Samsara

Hi Gouxiong. I am not in favour of banning Confucius Institutes. I am, however, happy that a number of Universities are (of their own volition) not renewing their contracts. I would also be happy if, for example, they didn't sign contracts with institutions that supported Holocaust Denial (from an ethical standpoint, Holocaust Denial and Cultural Revolution denial are pretty similar). ----- China legislates against organisations that help disadvantaged people (teaching them to read, giving them access to medical treatment, etc.). America, meanwhile, has NOT legislated against organisations that teach utterly spurious versions of history. ----- The Confucius Institute is not a well-intentioned charity that seeks to help people. It is a mouthpiece of the Beijing government (oh... like YOU) that tries to supplant Western academic standards with Chinese patriotic education. Why should an American university feel obliged to do business with an organisation whose PRIMARY goal is propaganda? ----- The majority of NGO charities (local and foreign) in China are run by generous, self-motivated people doing hard work to help disadvantaged communities. Their charities are not an arm of the American government. ----- Organisations that help poor people are being shut down by the Chinese government. CCP propaganda organs like the Confucius Institute are NOT being shut down by the American government. The comparison you are trying to make is a very dishonest one. ----- If you actually think the Communist Party legislating against charity work and American universities not renewing contracts with CCP propaganda departments are comparable injustices, please stop participating in arguments.

Mar 30, 2015 10:38 Report Abuse

gouxiong

Oh, highly probably I do not have a soul as I am not Christian. What concerns of Universities to renew or not renew the contracts so I see no problem. That was not a point I wanted to raise. I am coming from country where the history taught us that almost any country goes just for its own benefit - and majority of these countries uses quite unscrupulous measures to achieve their targets. By the way such mistrust looks to be in Europe already the old tradition dating to Ancient Greece and Rome time (timeo Danaos et dona ferentes). We may like it or not like it but China is a sovereign country which can on its own decide which foreign companies will or will not be welcome (as long as it does not contradict the international treaties China signed and ratified). Why should anyone criticize the foreign country for exercising its right? I also do not share your point of view about Confucius Institute indoctrination - in my country they are welcome. But that's already different discussion - I am just wondering how easily some people, allegedly promoting the freedom of speech, understand this freedom in shutting the another opinions up ... :) And this apparent double standard of majority of contributors I find so amusing :).

Mar 30, 2015 11:44 Report Abuse

Samsara

NO ONE IS SILENCING THE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE. America permits the Confucius Institute. Universities are allowed to CHOOSE which organisations they do business with. China silences most forms of political and ideological discussion, including HONEST discussion of history. Your attempt to make the West's actual permissiveness towards free speech seem equivalent to China's suppression of speech is really quite ridiculous. ----- My opinion on free speech, Confucius Institutes and charity work is not a tangled web of double standards. I support free speech and approve of people helping each other, REGARDLESS OF NATIONALITY. It is not hypocrisy. ----- Secondly: China has contravened all manner of treaties. Despite being a member of the UN Security Council, it perpetrates outrageous human rights violations, and blatantly ignores international laws relating to other countries' sovereignty. America does too. In China "the law" is manufactured by the state to justify anything the government wants to do. ----- Whereas I disapprove of charity being shut down by a greedy, inhuman and ruthless government, you don't. Apparently it is fine for the CCP to manufacture laws against charity and other things it doesn't like, because in your opinion, law makes right. I don't share this opinion.

Mar 30, 2015 12:58 Report Abuse

gouxiong

From my perspective there is nothing wrong with you not liking the law - as per my opinion this discussion has nothing to do with the fact if we do or do not like it. We are usually not citizens of this country and therefore cannot in any way participate on law creation. Either we can accept it and then apply for living and working here under valid legislation or we cannot accept it and then my best advise to such a person would be to leave. However I fully grant to each human being the free choice to select own way to handle his/her life. You support charity - fair enough - so do it according to the law of the country you are living in. If this country for some reason does not want to have certain charity organizations in here so it's certainly this country's right. In my house I also can select whom I let in and whom not. I really do not understand from where such outrage is coming ...

Mar 30, 2015 13:43 Report Abuse

RiriRiri

Could you at least stop insulting our intelligence by pretending you are not Chinese (let alone being a paid commentator).

Mar 30, 2015 14:11 Report Abuse

gouxiong

I do not rule out that some of the contributors here are quite intelligent. Not sure though it's all the contributors case ... Never mind - as Chinese say 慢慢来 - person can probably hardly affect own intelligence but certainly can contribute to improving own knowledge and manners. By the way can I ask you why does it matter if person is or is not Chinese - does it make a person who is (or is not) Chinese more/less correct? In my country we have not really high opinion about average Americans but still that country succeeded to rule the world for almost a century - as well as some of my American friends are very smart. But apparently there must be some Americans (and they even succeeded to come to China now ...) who are proving my compatriots opinion - I would just replace the word 'average' with 'some'. 恭喜你- you serve now as a good example :)

Mar 30, 2015 14:33 Report Abuse

RiriRiri

So that's a yes. Just a tip: you're not half as good at ambivalence as you think you are. Chinese sophists are so easily spotted because of the incredible boredom they inspire.

Mar 30, 2015 14:41 Report Abuse

gouxiong

OK - allow me to use my own language and paraphrase one popular saying: 'Kdyby hloupost nadnasela tak by RiriRiri po Cine poletoval jako holubicka'. As I do not assume you would understand my language (without any offense as my country is too small for majority of the people to learn our language) so let me just briefly inform you that it basically describes my opinion about your mental abilities by using just very polite words which I would not be ashamed to repeat even in front of official audience. I am still wondering though why people like you travel to foreign countries whose majority of citizens they at the end of the day hate but I do not have (and in this particular case do not want) to know everything.

Mar 30, 2015 14:54 Report Abuse

RiriRiri

I really want you no harm since I've proven my point already, but really you should stop. It's becoming embarrassing.

Mar 30, 2015 15:25 Report Abuse

Guest2781358

I rate 4yrs tops

Mar 29, 2015 07:26 Report Abuse

Guest2781358

This place will be a tin pot dictatorship soon enough.

Mar 28, 2015 20:29 Report Abuse

kuntmans

The West will probably need more and more Chinese NGOs soon as societies there continue to decline. More balance is needed and the foreigners who live in China should always remember they are guests and should show courtesy and politeness otherwise they will not be welcome.

Mar 28, 2015 13:49 Report Abuse

Guest14237618

It is certainly not up to you or some random Chinese to decide whether or not I am welcome in this country, only the immigration officials can choose to renew or revoke my visa. Now considering that I create local jobs, pay my taxes in full (unlike most locals cheating on it) and my exemplary behavior, I don't really need to worry about it.

Mar 29, 2015 11:59 Report Abuse

gouxiong

To GeoHistTeacher, OK. You married Chinese person - does that make you Chinese? I guess not. If you want to change this country so give up your current citizenship and apply for Chinese one. Then you may try your luck. But most probably you do not want to do that - nothing wrong with that. And considering that it was you who came here I do not find the requirements to behave properly (including polite speech) such an outrageous demand ... But apparently our views differ ...

Mar 30, 2015 09:18 Report Abuse

gouxiong

Oh man, I do not demand from you anything :). Honestly I do not care as long as somebody's behavior is not illegal or does not effect me directly. I just said that the put forward requirements do not sound so illogical, but I admit that for some people the requirements may be too high ... And then for the argument: 'I can behave like a bastard because the others also do' may fit to children in the kindergarten but already primary school children should know that this is not any excuse or argument. You like it here so stay and enjoy it. Do not like it so leave. But I am not talking on behalf of Chinese because I am not one of them - it's just my personal recommendation - but of course you may not like it here and still stay - there are apparently a lot of masochists in this world ...

Mar 30, 2015 10:06 Report Abuse

Robk

Honestly, I truly hoped that there was a way that the Asian superpower (China) and the Western world could somehow co-exist and build forward. But it seems China is too xenophobic and horribly hypocritical. They take capitalism to boost their economy (which obviously isn't socialism or communism) and then when they get fat off their people's suffering they steal the ideals of the West and force their companies out. If I was a world leader at this point, I wouldn't know what to do with China. They are headed backward and since Xi took office, resemble North Korea by every new day... I would start to become very concerned as the more China pushes out the West, the more it gives reason to World War III. Wars are started when companies have more to gain through a war than lose... If China kicks all the foreign companies out of China... what will follow will be very bad...

Mar 28, 2015 02:12 Report Abuse

zijun

Hello, you make a few valid points. However, don't you think you are using a bit of hyperbole stating that kicking companies out of China may cause WWIII? I mean, that seems extreme to me. It seems the same standards for China have been applied since the opium wars. "concede to our moral code or else" China has never, and will never be a nation that follows other People's ideas of the rules. I know that scares people but hey, I am an American and my country acts in the same way. I, like you I am assuming, am appalled at some of the humanitarian issues here. As I am with many places on Earth, but I don't see WWIII happening any time soon. The whole world would lose that game.

Mar 28, 2015 08:50 Report Abuse

Robk

@zijun - I don't think it will be a war in the conventional sense... at least, not at first.

Mar 28, 2015 11:04 Report Abuse

mattharling

No WWIII to be seen, the worst (best?) that can happen is the rest of the world puts an end to trading with China, because who wants to trade with thieves and liars? Developed countries would bring back the industry home or move it to other (more fair play) countries. China will heavily suffer from it since its domestic consumption doesn't seem to take off (people saving money to buy their ticket out of here). There will be uprisings and the CCP might be overthrown since people are only tolerating it in exchange for economic prosperity. The WWIII will certainly not happen in the foreseeable future, no one would earn anything from it, both winners and losers.

Mar 28, 2015 13:20 Report Abuse

RiriRiri

Not sure who wins there, wait until the end of the story. I don't think they have the upper hand in anything even today, and I think their opening policies might reveal the ultimate scam eventually. They're the ones with unbreathable air, inedible food and a restless society who measures itself by unsustainable standards waiting to blow over - all of which was defined by the West.

Mar 27, 2015 16:57 Report Abuse

Samsara

Regarding Charity: The Communist Party discovered that money donated to Foreign NGOs was actually making its way to poor people. Obviously that needs to be addressed. Charity money is supposed to benefit fat, belligerent, self-satisfied asshole Chinese officials, not disadvantaged communities, orphans, illiterate or disabled people, or earthquake victims. --- In "capitalist" Western nations, the state provides resources and public services to the people. In "socialist" China, organisations (local or foreign) attempting to do anything beneficial for people are banned. Not only does the CCP not give a rats about the economic, environmental, educational and physical problems suffered by Chinese people, it will GO OUT OF ITS WAY to stop anyone from helping them. Simply fucking amazing. Samsara is angry.

Mar 26, 2015 13:51 Report Abuse

Chairman_Cow

This is an attempt to rid China of honest NGO's who aren't corrupt and actually make a positive difference. For if there are no foreign NGO's around, China can then appoint their own corrupt organisations to fill the void. Just another example of how this current government is totally against foreign influence. When is the western world going to stand up and stop tolerating this crap from China? For a country that hosted the Olympics, they sure are a racist lot! China is rapidly moving back to the Stone Age day by day.

Mar 26, 2015 09:08 Report Abuse

Guest2781358

haha

Apr 05, 2015 07:41 Report Abuse