China exposes 10 social organizations suspected of unlawful operations

BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) on Thursday made public 10 social organizations suspected of unlawful operations, warning against the risk of being tricked into their scams.

Organizations that have made the list often assume grand titles that contain words like "China" or "international," which might give unsuspecting members of the public the false impression that they are state-approved bodies.

Moreover, some groups are found to integrate into their titles words that are either related to worthy undertakings, such as patriotism and volunteerism, or are connected with novel concepts like blockchain technology, with great potential for conjuring misleading images that suggest high morals or professional excellence.

The list was the result of constant efforts by the authorities to crack down on such organizations, including unregistered groups, groups that have had their authority to operate revoked but continue to operate in the name of recognized social organizations, and those carrying out unauthorized activities at the planning and founding stage, according to the MCA.

The ministry called on the public to submit tips concerning suspicious organizations, including those mentioned above, on the following website: http://www.chinanpo.gov.cn.

The elusive or clandestine operation of such organizations often makes it difficult for authorities to obtain solid evidence that can lead to their being directly banned.

China has more than 800,000 registered social organizations, according to the MCA.