BETTER POSITIONS FOR NGOS

The plan acknowledges that the requirements for establishing social organizations are too high, and even some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) tend to operate in a bureaucratic way like government departments.

"The current management mechanism is no longer suitable for the standardized development of social organizations," Ma said.

The State Council plans to separate industrial associations and chambers of commerce from administrative departments, as well as introduce a competitive mechanism featuring multiple associations for a single industry, which will boost their independence and vitality.

Priority will be given to the establishment of social organizations in the fields of commerce and science and technology, and those related to public interests and charitable and rural-urban community services.

The establishment of a social organization regarding politics, legal issues and religion is subject to prior government examination and approval, as are overseas NGOs applying to open representative offices in China, according to the plan.