New Official Restrictions on NGO Research Organizations Announced

May 31, 2005

The Beijing Bureau of Industry and Commerce (BIC) has instructed several non-governmental social science organizations that currently are registered as for-profit companies to re-register with the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MOCA), according to a report in the Asia Times. Local BIC branches have posted official notices on their Web sites confirming the cancellation of registrations for a number of research groups.

The Beijing Bureau of Industry and Commerce (BIC) has instructed several non-governmental social science organizations that currently are registered as for-profit companies to re-register with the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MOCA), according to a report in the Asia Times. Local BIC branches have posted official notices on their Web sites confirming the cancellation of registrations for a number of research groups.

Many Chinese NGOs register as companies to avoid having to comply with burdensome regulations that govern registration of civil society organizations in China. The BIC move will make it more difficult for certain types of NGOs to operate outside of government controls on civil society groups.

Other reports suggest that government actions against research institutes may be part of a broader campaign to limit Chinese civil society. In May 2005, the Chinese government created a national federation of Chinese environmental NGOs that may be an effort to restrict a vocal set of critics who have challenged central government development plans. In March, authorities ordered a prominent NGO that has openly criticized the Chinese government's AIDS policy to change its name or have its registration cancelled.