China to create new provisions concerning foreign and civil society groups

The adjustments to China's provisions of the foreign government and civil society groups will be put to a vote. The country's law that governs foreign non-government organizations has been criticized by both the state media and legislators.

China has been redefining a number of its legislations which include the country's counterterrorism law and cyber security law. Other countries like the United States, those included in the European Union, and Canada have been constantly reminding China to change the draft of the NGO law. The earlier legislations gave a broader field for the police to regulate activities and funding of overseas groups that operate in the country.

Critics always looked at the previous legislation as indefinite, which in turn could severely limit the operations of social and environmental advocacy groups including business organizations and schools. Because of this, the National People's Congress, the law committee of China, recommended the bill to be voted on during a regular session of the FPC Standing Committee as per the Business Insider.

New York Times reported that China's official news forum, Xinhua, reported that one notable change in the new draft is a phrase giving examples of foreign groups that would be regulated by the law. The new legislation would be applicable to certain groups like foundations, social groups or think tanks. The provisions of the national law will be in charge in handling exchanges between academic groups, schools, and hospitals.

According to ABC News, overseas NGOs which will engage in illegal activities including those that undermine the state and  split the nation will be blacklisted by police authorities and be banned from doing its operations on the mainland.

The recent legislation of the draft though has not been released officially and the status of its provisions is not yet clear. Since 2012, China has been tight in controlling almost all aspects of the civil society. A number of human rights lawyers across the country have been arrested for fooling the stringent law.

Tags

China, NGO, Civil society groups, government, Law

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