New laws to control NGOs in China

China’s Communist-controlled legislature passed a law imposing new regulations on foreign non-government organisations on Thursday, authorities said.

The measure has provoked an outcry from charities and concerns from foreign governments that it gives police wide-ranging discretionary powers amid a crackdown on civil society in the country.

At least 1,000 foreign NGOs are thought to operate in China, including development charities such as Save the Children, advocacy groups including Greenpeace, chambers of commerce and university centres.

The National People’s Congress standing committee, which acts as the Parliament when the NPC is not in full session, gave the law almost unanimous approval, with 147 votes in favour and only one against.

The full text was not immediately available, but a draft of the bill described by the official Xinhua news agency in a report earlier this week carried many provisions which previously triggered concerns.

It covers foreign charities, business associations, academic institutions and others in China.