China’s new foreign nongovernmental organization management law, intended to give police forces more power to regulate and monitor foreign NGOs operating in the country, will not go into effect for another eight months. But already NGO advocates are weighing the consequences of more restrictions in an already restrictive environment.
Some accuse the Chinese government of trying to “legalize human rights abuses,” while others note that the restrictions placed on foreign NGOs could also have big consequences for the Chinese grassroots organizations to whom they frequently grant funding.
The law, passed by the Chinese parliament with an overwhelming vote of 147-1 (with one abstention), will require foreign organizations to register with the public security ministry and its provincial counterparts and places limitations on the kinds of work overseas NGOs can engage in. While nonprofit groups and multilateral organizations around the world have called for the law to be revoked, the Chinese government is touting a “democratic,” consultative process that gave rise to a policy that will protect national security.
About the author
Lean Alfred Santos@DevexLeanAS
Lean Alfred Santos is a former Devex development reporter focusing on the development community in Asia-Pacific, including major players such as the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. He previously covered Philippine and international business and economic news, sports and politics.
