China hopes for a positive and objective attitude from relevant countries toward a new law on regulating overseas NGOs, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday.
Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks at a routine press briefing in response to concerns voiced by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry over the law.
Kerry said in a statement that he was deeply concerned that the law would hurt people-to-people ties between the United States and China by creating a "highly uncertain and potentially hostile environment" for foreign NGOs.
According to a new law adopted by the top legislature on Thursday, overseas NGOs must secure approval from Chinese authorities before they can operate on the Chinese mainland.
This applies whether they are planning to open permanent offices or operate temporarily. The law was adopted at the bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.
The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and provincial police departments will be responsible for registration and regulation. Overseas NGOs operating on the mainland without approval will be punished.
Hua said the law aims to guide and regulate the activities of overseas NGOs and protect their legal rights and interests in China.
The law stresses that the legal operation of overseas NGOs on the mainland will be protected.
Governments at all levels will be obligated to accommodate the legal operation of overseas NGOs, providing necessary assistance and services. NGOs will enjoy preferential tax policies, according to the law.
China has accepted opinions from many different sides in the process of drafting the law and made some amendments to relevant clauses, said Hua, stressing that the management of overseas NGOs varies with different national conditions.
Legislation must accord with China's national conditions and management practices, she said, adding that only in this way can legislation work.
According to the law, NGOs must meet several criteria to set up offices on the mainland. For instance, they must have been legally founded outside the Chinese mainland, be able to bear civil liability independently and operate for at least two years.
NGOs shall not undermine the country's unity, security or ethnic solidarity nor harm the interests of the state, public or the legal rights of citizens and other groups.
They will be banned from engaging in or sponsoring commercial and political activities or engaging in or sponsoring religious activities.
