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THE CHINA NONPROFIT REVIEW 2022, 14(1): 4 https://doi.org/10.26599/TCNR.2022.0000004
Article | Open Access | Issue | Published: 31 December 2022

Regulation of International Human Service NGOs in China: New Actors, Old Obstacles

Show Author's Information Zucheng Yu1,  Zhuoyi Wen2,  Haiqin Sun3
School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Shanghai International Studies University
Lingnan University, Hong Kong
Graduate Institute of Interpreting and Translation, Shanghai International Studies University

The first two authors contributed equally to and share equal authorship of this article.

Keywords:
regulation, China, International NGO Law, fragmented governance
Cite this article:
Yu Z, Wen Z, Sun H. Regulation of International Human Service NGOs in China: New Actors, Old Obstacles. THE CHINA NONPROFIT REVIEW, 2022, 14(1): 4. https://doi.org/10.26599/TCNR.2022.0000004
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Abstract Full text About this article

Previous studies on INGOs in China mainly focus on the organizational strategies for negotiating legitimacy with local governments. However, INGOs not only negotiate for legitimacy but also give an impetus to a clearly articulated mechanism for local governments to implement regulation and institutional improvement. Based on two field studies conducted from 2015 to 2019, this study reveals INGOs are willing to comply with regulation and urge their Chinese partners to do so. China's fragmented governance institution increases the difficulties in complying with the regulation. It's worth noting that, public security organs, which have long been perceived as a political gatekeeper, increasingly play a larger role of coordinator and facilitator for a smooth implementation of the INGO regulation. Yet pragmatism remains the underlying political logic of regulation and implies an unequal power relationship between the state and INGOs. These findings enrich the understanding of complex interactions between the state and INGOs under the new regulatory framework in China.


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Regulation of International Human Service NGOs in China: New Actors, Old Obstacles

Show Author's information Zucheng Yu1, Zhuoyi Wen2, Haiqin Sun3
School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Shanghai International Studies University
Lingnan University, Hong Kong
Graduate Institute of Interpreting and Translation, Shanghai International Studies University

The first two authors contributed equally to and share equal authorship of this article.

Abstract

Previous studies on INGOs in China mainly focus on the organizational strategies for negotiating legitimacy with local governments. However, INGOs not only negotiate for legitimacy but also give an impetus to a clearly articulated mechanism for local governments to implement regulation and institutional improvement. Based on two field studies conducted from 2015 to 2019, this study reveals INGOs are willing to comply with regulation and urge their Chinese partners to do so. China's fragmented governance institution increases the difficulties in complying with the regulation. It's worth noting that, public security organs, which have long been perceived as a political gatekeeper, increasingly play a larger role of coordinator and facilitator for a smooth implementation of the INGO regulation. Yet pragmatism remains the underlying political logic of regulation and implies an unequal power relationship between the state and INGOs. These findings enrich the understanding of complex interactions between the state and INGOs under the new regulatory framework in China.

Keywords: regulation, China, International NGO Law, fragmented governance

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Published: 31 December 2022
Issue date: December 2022

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© The Author(s) 2022

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Acknowledgement

This article is partly funded by following grants: A Research on Innovative Model of Government Purchasing Services from Social Organizations, Key Project of Philosophy and Social Sciences Research, Ministry of Education, PRC. Difficulties and Solutions of Registration System of Philanthropic Organizations in China, China National Social Science Foundation. Research on Practices and Experiences of Grass-root City Governance in and out China, Research and Innovation Team Project of Young Teachers in Shanghai International Studies University.

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