Team News Riveting
The fear of any opposition ahead of ruling Communist Party’s centenary celebrations in July, China had announced a nationwide crackdown on “illegal social organisations and non-government organisations (NGOs).”
The Ministry of Civil Affairs that supervises non-governmental organisations said that the latest crackdown focused on bodies that had not registered with the authorities and continued its activities even after being banned from operating.
The ministry’s website said it had banned at least 77 illegal social organisations this year for “fraudulent” activities.
It warned that some of these bodies had disguised themselves as health research organisations, national studies societies or religious groups and were trying to use the party centenary to raise funds.
“We must keep a clear mind about the fact that there are still breeding grounds for illegal social organisations and illegal social organisations have remained active,” a notice from the ministry said.
“They have disturbed the orderly management of the registration of social organisations, polluted the development environment, eroded the properties and assets of the relevant institutions and people, jeopardised social stability and economic development and sullied the image of the Communist Party and the government,” it added.
The notice was an overt signal that the crackdown, which will be supported by other government departments including the police, national security agencies and information technology bodies, was to create “a good environment” for the centenary celebrations. It is one of a series of campaigns by Beijing to stamp out what it sees as sources of instability ahead of the July 1 celebrations.
After all, Beijing maintains strict control over NGOs and other similar groups for fear they will oppose the party’s rule.
