杂志汇人民画报（英文版）

Law of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Activities of Overseas Non-Governmental Organizations within the Territory of China, the first of its kind in the country, was adopted at the 20th Session of the Standing Committee of the Twelfth National People's Congress on April 28, 2016, aiming to intensify administration of foreign NGO activity in China.

China’s further reform and opening-up has attracted a growing number of foreign NGOs which are joining hands with Chinese counterparts in realms of economics, science and technology, and education, enhancing the country’s communication with the rest of the world as well as its social and economic progress.

A recent survey shows that today, the number of foreign NGOs in China has passed 7,000, which are active in more than 20 fields such as poverty alleviation, aiding the disabled, environmental protection, public health, and education. However, the country’s current system for registration and management of such organizations needs improvements. Tough questions related to regulation loom.

According to the National People’s Congress, the new law covers the management of over 7,000 NGOs from foreign countries with 54 articles ranging from registration, documentation and activity standards to legal liability, supervision and administration. As defined by the Law, “'Overseas NGOs' refers to non-profit, non-governmental social organizations legally formed abroad, including foundations, social groups, think tanks, and others. Overseas NGOs can conduct activities conducive to the development of public welfare undertakings in such fields as economics, education, science and technology, culture, health, sports and environmental protection as well as in realms such as poverty alleviation and disaster relief in accordance with this Law. Overseas NGOs are prohibited from engaging in or funding for-profit projects or political activities within the terri-tory of China, or illegally supporting religious activities.” Still, China’s public security organs are authorized to investigate the heads of foreign NGOs, stop certain activities, and blacklist violators. The regulations primarily target circumstances that “threaten China’s national security, subvert state power, and divide the country.”