HONG KONG (SE): China passed two new regulatory laws this year, one aimed at the operations of charities, both foreign and local, and the other at foreign non-government organisations (NGO), of which there are an estimated 7,000 operating in the country.

While most facets of both laws are not tightly defined or described, two things are abundantly clear; religious and political activity are both banned and the validity of the perception of the state regarding any activity is paramount and safely guarded.

HONG KONG (SE): The controversial Charities Law was passed by the National People’s Congress in China on March 16 and is set to take effect on September 1.

The law will restrict the ability of groups to raise money to government-approved charities and their proposed activities for the coming year must receive government approval.

HONG KONG (SE): Consternation and concern on the part of many people involved with non-government organisations (NGO) in China over a new draft law controlling their activities has stolen the limelight from another draft governing the operation of charities, which has been described as more workable.

Shawn Shieh, a Hong Kong-based expert on Chinese civil society, said that the draft law on NGOs suggests Beijing wants to try to weaken ties between local organisations and foreign funding.

BEIJING (UCAN): The United States of America (US), Canada, Germany, Japan and the European Union wrote a letter to the Chinese government in late January calling on Beijing to reconsider a number of new laws, including one on the operation of foreign non-government organisations (NGOs), which they deem to be far too restrictive.

HONG KONG (SE): Although it was anticipated that China’s controversial new bill on the operation of non-government organisations (NGO) would be passed during the National People’s Congress in March, Reuters reported on March 4 that a spokesperson told the media that more time was need to revise the draft law.

Speaking prior to the opening of the congress, Fu Ying said that despite the international criticism of the proposed law, it is necessary and she defended the law.