Charities in China Face Government Limits

As a growing number of charities are sprouting in China, the country’s government has been grappling with how much independence to give such organizations, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Chinese leaders worry “that too much civil society could stir up conflict, challenge its grip, and put at risk stability that has underpinned 25 years of fast economic growth,” the newspaper says.

To illustrate the challenges facing charities, the newspaper looks at the efforts of one woman to create a working farm for autistic children. Ma Chen, who has an autistic daughter, would like to set up a charity to accept tax-free donations, but China does not have a charities law. She and other nonprofit leaders hope that such a law will be discussed at the Chinese parliament’s annual session in March.

To learn more about the growth of nonprofit organizations in China, read The Chronicle’s special report.

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