The early June deadline for public consultation over a draft law that aims to regulate the operations and “influence” of international nongovernmental organizations in China is fast approaching. And yet, many things remain unclear to NGOs and civil society organizations.
The Chinese government released the first draft of the controversial law in December, a move that seemed to tighten already strict civil society regulations in Beijing. Some of the provisions that raised concerns among NGOs include restrictions on fundraising, establishing multiple representative offices in China, and the cumbersome registration process to gain legal recognition from the central government.
The National People’s Congress released a slightly amended second draft last month. While this new version allows for some flexibility, the message remains the same:
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.
