Law encourages NGOs to play useful role

However, some overseas NGOs operations in other countries cannot be put to practice in China, because those may not suit the country's actual conditions and could even create problems. For instance, human rights scholar Manfred Nowak has cited 22 prominent international human rights NGOs, and only three of them are based in developing countries. Besides, many of these NGOs adopt antagonistic even humiliating operating methods, which are unwelcome by many countries including China.

That's why China's law to regulate overseas NGOs' activities is aimed at striking a balance between protection of rights and legal restrictions. This shows that, instead of shutting overseas NGOs out, the authorities want to encourage them to play a constructive role in society.

The government requires overseas NGOs to comply with the country's laws and regulations, rather than simply applying their experiences in other countries to China.

The Chinese authorities face criticism from some overseas NGOs and media during the legislation process because the latter, failing to realize the significance of the legislation, were worried that the government would expel them from the country. Their fears were unwarranted, though, because China deals with social management issues in a mature manner.

Rule of law, sustainable development and human rights are the three objectives of the path China is taking, and they are interrelated. So China will neither give overseas NGOs carte blanche to do whatever they want nor totally ban them from operating in China.

Rule of law is an important aspect of society, and among other things it also protects NGOs' legal rights. And since the overseas NGO management law balances the three objectives, it will ensure overseas NGOs play a constructive role in China. We can thus expect overseas NGOs' activities in China to be well managed to achieve the legislative objectives.

The author is executive director of the Center for Human Rights Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.