Beyond the Abolition of Dual Administration: The Challenges to NGO Governance in 21st Century China

Abstract

The abolition of dual administration of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in China is an inexorable and essential trend toward a genuine civil society. This article seeks to examine the challenges that come with the abolition of the dual administration and to explore how to address them during this transitional period. It considers the state dominated NGO governance in China and its transformation since the 1990s and argues that the decisive role the government plays in NGOs' development, which is criticized by many scholars, is the outcome of Chinese history, political culture and the needs of NGOs. It gives account of the challenges for NGO governance and development following the abolition of dual administration. Suggestions for new approaches to NGO development are discussed from the perspectives of a value-based partnership between NGOs and the government, the importance of securing public trust, the development of legal systems and finally, the role of NGO network organizations.Résumé La suppression de la double administration des ONG en Chine est une tendance inexorable et essentielle vers une véritable société civile. Le présent document vise à examiner les défis qui accompagnent la suppression de cette double administration et à étudier comment y faire face au cours de cette période de transition. Il étudie la gouvernance dominée par l'É tat des ONG en Chine et sa transformation depuis les années 1990, et fait valoir que le rôle décisif joué par le gouvernement dans le développement des ONG, qui est critiqué par de nombreux chercheurs, est le résultat de l'histoire et de la culture politique chinoises ainsi que des besoins des ONG. Il rend compte des défis pour la gouvernance et le dével-oppement des ONG suite à la suppression de la double administration. Des propositions pour de nouvelles approches en matière de développement des ONG sont abordées sous l'angle d'un partenariat fondé sur des valeurs entre les ONG et le gouvernement, de l'importance d'assurer la confiance du public, du développement de systèmes juridiques et, enfin, du rôle des organisations du réseau des ONG.Zusammenfassung Die Abschaffung der dualen Administration von nichtstaatlichen Organisationen in China ist ein unaufhaltsamer und wichtiger Trend in Richtung einer echten Bürgergesellschaft. Dieser Beitrag untersucht, auf welche Probleme man bei der Abschaffung der dualen Administration stößt und wie man mit diesen während der Ü bergangsphase umgehen sollte. Dazu werden die vom Staat dominierte Steuerung der nicht-staatlichen Organisationen in China und deren Umwandlung seit den 90-iger Jahren betrachtet. Es wird behauptet, dass die entscheidende Rolle, die die Regierung in der Entwicklung nicht-staatlicher Organisationen spielt und die von vielen Wissenschaftlern kritisiert wird, das Resultat der chinesischen Geschichte, der politischen Kultur und der Bedürfnisse der nichtstaatlichen Organisationen ist. Der Beitrag schildert die Probleme im Zusammenhang mit der Steuerung und Entwicklung nicht-staatlicher Organisationen nach der ...

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“…Parents from urban areas with better access to resources and information, such as Tian Huiping, thus initiated service organisations to meet the care needs of their children. As with many of the civic associations serving marginalised groups at the time, these disability service organisations could not gain registration under the dual administration system that required NGOs to seek approval from both a professional supervisory unit and the Ministry of Civil Affairs (Yang et al 2016). Xingxingyu instead mobilised resources by establishing collaborations with the media, inter-Zhang Haidi, a Chinese writer, translator, inspirational speaker, and chairwoman of China Administration of Sports for Persons with Disabilities (the national paralympic committee of China).. PC: Wang Jing (Sohu.com).…”

Civil Society, Nonprofit Organizations, and Citizenship in China: An Editorial Introduction to the China Issue

“…While there is hope that civil society may contribute to democratization and participation, nonprofit organizations also face criticism as they operate in closer relationships with the state than would be common for their Western counterparts, within narrow limits defined by the state that tend to restrict dissenting voices (Yang et al 2014). Civic engagement is encouraged in order to maintain regime stability rather than to increase participation .…”

“…Leadership ties among founders, foreign embassies, and the central government have demonstrated Voluntas (2016Voluntas ( ) 27:2011Voluntas ( -2020Voluntas ( 2015 the politic and economic effectiveness in the negotiation of support, with support from both the public and private spheres. In their paper ''Beyond the Abolition of Dual Administration: The Challenges to NGO Governance in 21st Century China,' ' Yang et al (2014) state that the abolition of the dual system that required nonprofit organizations to affiliate with a professional supervisory agency before they could register with the Ministry of Civil Affairs has been the most significant change in China's official policy toward nonprofit organizations since the late 1970s. Also, it can be seen as double-edged sword as it has brought many challenges like funding problems, challenges of selfgovernance.…”

“…Also, it can be seen as double-edged sword as it has brought many challenges like funding problems, challenges of selfgovernance. (Yang et al 2014). These challenges are discussed, and suggestions for new approaches to NGO development are made from the perspective of a partnership between nonprofit organizations and the government, taking into account the need for supportive legislation, the imperative of public trust, and the viability of NGO network organizations.…”

Carrots and Sticks: A Case Study of Government-Caused Danwei Tradition in Chinese NGOs

“…The financial shrink is not helping with the Chinese NGOs' independence. Despite that the Government has paid repeated lip service to the ideal of ''Small Government, Big Society'' since 1990s (Yang et al 2014), the slogan remains largely empty talk.…”