NGOs given expanded role to play in society
Source: Shanghai Daily |
March 14, 2013, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA pledged yesterday to allow charities, industry associations and other nonprofit groups to play a greater role in society in an acknowledgement of the growing importance of social organizations.
Civil Affairs Minister Li Liguo said as part of the Cabinet's recently announced restructuring plan, the government will expand the scope of functions it will let social groups fulfill.
"Overall, from now on, the role that our country's social organizations will play in economic and social development will be expanded and strengthened," Li said.
From sheltering abused women to campaigning against smoking, nonprofit social organizations have played an increasingly important role in society.
Minister Li said such social groups will no longer need to find government sponsors in order to obtain the official registration that grants them nonprofit status.
Such groups will now be able to register themselves directly with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, he said, though he did not provide details on how the ministry would assess applications.
Li said the ministry would set up a mechanism to process registrations and supervise and regulate the social groups. Registration allows nonprofit groups to operate legally, raise funds domestically and become eligible for some tax exemptions.
Li said the changes would apply to charities, community service groups, industry associations and groups that work in science and technology.
Meanwhile, Li said, the government will start managing poorly administered civil charity organizations in order to better safeguard the rights of orphans and abandoned children.
Seven people, including six children, died in a fire that ripped through a privately-run foster home in January in Henan Province. The incident highlighted the country's lack of government-funded orphanages and foster homes.
China has about 615,000 orphans. Just 109,000 of them live in government-funded agencies, according to Li's ministry.
Civil Affairs Minister Li Liguo said as part of the Cabinet's recently announced restructuring plan, the government will expand the scope of functions it will let social groups fulfill.
"Overall, from now on, the role that our country's social organizations will play in economic and social development will be expanded and strengthened," Li said.
From sheltering abused women to campaigning against smoking, nonprofit social organizations have played an increasingly important role in society.
Minister Li said such social groups will no longer need to find government sponsors in order to obtain the official registration that grants them nonprofit status.
Such groups will now be able to register themselves directly with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, he said, though he did not provide details on how the ministry would assess applications.
Li said the ministry would set up a mechanism to process registrations and supervise and regulate the social groups. Registration allows nonprofit groups to operate legally, raise funds domestically and become eligible for some tax exemptions.
Li said the changes would apply to charities, community service groups, industry associations and groups that work in science and technology.
Meanwhile, Li said, the government will start managing poorly administered civil charity organizations in order to better safeguard the rights of orphans and abandoned children.
Seven people, including six children, died in a fire that ripped through a privately-run foster home in January in Henan Province. The incident highlighted the country's lack of government-funded orphanages and foster homes.
China has about 615,000 orphans. Just 109,000 of them live in government-funded agencies, according to Li's ministry.
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