The implementation of the domestic Charity Law in 2016 and the Overseas NGO Law in 2017 marked the end of an era in social service in China. Accustomed to working in a large grey area in which much was allowed but little was legally defined, local and foreign-run nonprofit organizations were suddenly faced with a litany of new requirements. The new laws specifically targeted religious activities and put severe restrictions on foreign funds coming into the country. Many overseas entities concluded it was no longer possible to carry on their work in China.
In the ensuing years, the Party has further tightened its grip on social organizations, building what one scholar termed an institutional “iron cage” to ensure that these groups not only stay out of trouble but also actively support government priorities. At the same time, Christians have faced myriad new regulations on religious activities and heightened surveillance measures. Taken together, these developments would seem to support the narrative that the space in which China’s Christians can express their faith through social service is shrinking.
But is this really the case?
Beyond the Grey
For decades Christians working in the murky grey zone of social service in China bemoaned the lack of a clear legal structure. The radical shift that took place in 2016 was, in the words of my colleague Joann Pittman, a lesson in being careful what one asks for.
“We got what we wanted—only it wasn’t really what we wanted.”
For overseas organizations, the new legal structure was a game-changer. An onerous registration process faced those that sought to stay on in China. Responsibility for vetting these organizations shifted to the Ministry of Public Security. Those working in areas deemed sensitive by the government were weeded out, while those who stayed were expected to align their goals with official concerns.
The domestic Charity Law (which was amended this year) also introduced a stringent framework. It prioritized service to children and the elderly, disaster victims, and those living in poverty, along with educational and environmental programs, and stipulated that the purpose of charity work is to “uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China.”
These laws have been seen primarily as being all about control, in keeping with the Party’s own comprehensive security narrative. By limiting the scope of nonprofit work, regulating the flow of funds, and screening out unwanted actors from abroad, the Party’s “iron cage” has been widely viewed as part of an overall trend toward stifling civil society.
An Invitation to Thrive
Yet, where many see multiplied constraints, others see opportunity. In an overview of the church’s social service involvement published last year in the online Journal of Chinese Mission, two Christians with extensive experience in the sector encouraged their fellow believers to embrace the Charity Law as an invitation to live out their faith by serving society.
Readily acknowledging the limitations, including the discrimination that often results when organizations are known to be run by Christians, these authors were nevertheless surprisingly hopeful about the prospects for such organizations to not only survive but to thrive in the current environment. In fact, they argued, given the government’s refusal to grant legal status to China’s house churches, charity and social service are both necessary and beneficial means for Christians to live out their faith in society.
While many foreign NGOs have seen opportunities dry up in China, local organizations have been increasing the scope of their activities. Beginning with the groundswell of Christian response following the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, these groups have branched out from poverty and disaster relief into areas including health and medicine, education, and culture. One-off efforts have been replaced by long-term initiatives as the work has become more institutionalized and professionally run.
An Unlikely Partnership
Of the Christian-run NGOs surveyed by the authors, 42 percent had participated in government programs and received government funding during the past three years. Nearly 30 percent reported that government funding was their primary source of support. More than half said they would proactively seek good relations with government authorities.
Looking ahead, the authors encouraged Christians to think beyond “small charity” activities aimed at meeting the immediate needs of individuals or at-risk groups, and to consider participating in larger efforts to address systemic issues at the local or regional level. This would require closer relationships with government officials, as well as with entrepreneurs, leaders in education and culture, and other stakeholders in the community. Building these relationships would not only allow these NGOs to further enlarge the scope of their work but would also provide natural opportunities for Christian witness.
Rather than seeing government regulations as a constraint, the authors urged NGO leaders to take these regulations as a guide on their journey toward greater opportunities. Pointing to the relatively small number of Christian-run NGOs in operation and the need for greater professionalization throughout the sector, they argued the only real constraints were internal.
The oft-told story of social control in China’s NGO sector is a valid narrative. The “iron cage” is real. But it is not the whole story. While some focus on the bars holding them back or keeping them out, others see rungs on which to climb to new heights.
Brent Fulton
Brent Fulton is the founder of ChinaSource. Dr. Fulton served as the first president of ChinaSource until 2019. Prior to his service with ChinaSource, he served from 1995 to 2000 as the managing director of the Institute for Chinese Studies at Wheaton College. From 1987 to 1995 he served as founding …View Full Bio
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