China’s New NGO Legislation: A Blessing or Curse for Foreign NGOs?

By Elizabeth Leclaire

Governments across the globe have consistently acknowledged the benefits of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in combating environmental and social crises, and China’s leaders have recently pushed for an increase in foreign NGOs throughout the nation.

China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) has released the second draft of the Law on the Administration of Overseas Non-Government Organizations, which will allow for foreign NGOs to establish an office (referred to as a “mainland office”) in China. The NPC is expected to readdress the draft in the near future, as the period to submit public comments or concerns regarding the draft’s current state closed on June 5^th. 

Under the new regulations, foreign NGOs are no longer required to first locate a Government Supervisory Entity (GSE) willing to serve as a sponsor. A GSE is a ministry of China which sponsors the foreign NGO during its registration process. Foreign NGOs have often found locating a GSE particularly difficult, as many GSEs are unwilling to risk associating with controversial foreign NGOs. 

Although the current draft has expanded foreign NGO freedom by eliminating GSEs from the registration process, the law also includes several complicated stipulations that a foreign NGO must carefully abide by so as to not expose itself to legal liability.

Establishment Qualifications

Foreign NGOs hoping to establish operations in China must ensure that the scope of their activities fall within the NPC’s list of appropriate NGO undertakings: education, health, charity, environmental protection, culture, science and technology, sports, and economy.

In order to establish a mainland office in China, the foreign NGO “parent” institution, referred to as the competent operational entity (COE), must have already operated for over two years and must be capable of assuming civil liabilities. Civil liabilities typically arise from breach of contract or negligence and are usually settled through payment as a form of compensation.

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Application Process

The application process for foreign NGOs is lengthy, and even well-established NGOs should be prepared to wait for at least several months before to receiving approval from China’s public security authorities. 

In order to apply, foreign NGOs must first receive written consent from the corresponding COE. Once obtained, the foreign NGO has 30 days to apply for establishment with the relevant registration authority. Applicants will be required to provide documentation verifying the consent of the COE, source of funding, necessary NGO qualifications, and the absence of a criminal record for the chief representative of the China office.

The relevant registration authority is allotted 60 days to review all documentation and determine if the application will be accepted or rejected.

Restrictions and Regulations

Although foreign NGO establishment has been made simpler in the sense that an NGO will no longer rely on Chinese government sponsorship, foreign NGOs in China will still be faced with strict guidelines and regulations that hinder their scope of operations.  

Foreign NGOs are strictly prohibited from engaging in any activities which may threaten China’s national unity, interests, order, or morals. Additionally, the NPC has banned NGO involvement in activities involving profit making, politics, or religion.

Foreign NGOs must annually submit papers documenting project implementation and fund usage to the COE for approval by November 30. The relevant Chinese registration authorities must also receive the same paperwork within 10 days after the foreign NGO receives consent from the COE. An annual work report, detailing a foreign NGO’s financial and account information must also be delivered to the COE and the registration authority by March 31^st.

The NPC allows foreign NGOs to use funds from legitimate overseas sources or from acquired interest on Chinese bank accounts, but it is important to note that accepting donations is strictly prohibited.

Foreign NGOs will be issued five-year licenses, and reapplication is required 60 days prior to expiry in order to remain in China. In terms of employment, the pending NPC legislation prescribes that at least 50 percent of the staff must be Chinese nationals.

Temporary NGOs

The NPC has outlined separate guidelines for foreign NGOs looking to temporarily establish offices in China. These offices may only operate for one year, and must first locate a “Chinese Partner” to sponsor the NGO’s agenda. The NPC requires that a Chinese Partner be selected from state organs, people’s organizations, public institutions, or social organizations.

Aside from the limited operational time, and reliance on a Chinese Partner, temporary NGOs are regulated in a similar way as their long term counterparts.

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Legal Liabilities

Any foreign entity operating in China must be careful to protect itself against legal liabilities, and this is particularly relevant to foreign NGOs. Minor infractions of foreign NGO procedures can lead to fines up to 200,000 RMB. More serious violations are grounds for freezing bank accounts and detention of those found responsible for breaching the law. China’s public security authorities also reserve the right to examine and investigate all foreign NGO activities and may revoke licenses if the NGO is found to be engaging in any illegal activity.

Concluding Remarks

The implication of China’s pending foreign NGO law is doubled edged.  In a strictly legal sense, this legislation expands foreign NGO independence and encourages their establishment. However, the numerous regulations included in the law may make the successful legal establishment of a foreign NGO challenging in practice.

Currently, many foreign NGOs register as businesses or operate unregistered in order to circumvent Chinese law. If passed, the Law on the Administration of Overseas Non-Government Organizations may in fact leave that practice unaltered or further discourage new entrants in China altogether.

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