On the first of August the Ministry of Civil Affairs published the Regulation on the Registration and Administration of Social Organizations (Revised Draft to Solicit Feedback), with the aim of collecting public opinions and comments. The deadline to provide feedback is August 21. As compared to the original, the revised version of the draft (hereafter referred to as the Revised Draft) contains seven significant changes that are listed below.
First of all, the founders should be representative and responsible. The Revised Draft stipulates that there should be at least ten sponsors in a national social group, and five sponsors in a local one. The founder should be a member of the social group and take responsibility for the legitimacy, truth, validity and integrity of the group’s registration material.
Second, the registration process will be simplified. According to the Revised Draft, four types of social groups can directly register in the Ministry of Civil Affairs without negotiating with the competent work department. The four types include industrial associations and chambers of commerce, social groups in the area of technology, philanthropic social groups and community service groups in urban and rural areas. Besides, the Revised Draft cancels all the preparation and approval procedures for the registration of social groups.
Third, the names of social groups which include terms like “world”, “international” and similar characters should be approved by the relevant departments. The Exposure Draft also states that local social groups shouldn’t adopt names including terms like “China”, “national”, “international” and “world”.
Fourth, central party organizations should be established inside social groups. The Revised Draft also stipulates the management pattern of social groups in a whole chapter, including democratic elections, democratic decision-making, democratic management and activities approved by the law.
Fifth, the property of social groups should be operated according to the principles of philanthropy and of being non-profit. Any social group engaging in profit-making activities will be sanctioned according to the law.
Sixth, social groups should publicize their information, or else they will be listed in a directory of anomalous organizations.
Lastly, compared to the original version, the Revised Draft better clarifies the specific management and supervision functions of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
