NPO rules expected in 2014

The long-awaited rules for foreign nonprofit organizations that want to register on the Chinese mainland are expected to be released next year, a senior official from the Ministry of Civil Affairs said.

A dual administrative system will be enforced for foreign NPOs, although China has simplified the registration process for a limited number of domestic social organizations.

"The government will carry out registration work for the representative offices of overseas non-governmental organizations and provide guidance to them on how to operate legally," said Li Liguo, minister of civil affairs, in a keynote speech on the ministry's work plan in 2014 at a meeting in Beijing over the weekend.