China Set to Pass First Law Regulating Private Charities

China’s parliament is expected to adopt the country’s first law on nonprofits this session, a measure that could give charities more freedom to operate but also allow for further restrictions on human-rights groups and foreign organizations, Reuters writes.

The measure is aimed in part at boosting donor confidence in Chinese charities, which have taken a greater role in providing social services but have been hurt by high-profile scandals. It would cut red tape and loosen rules on fundraising while adding transparency requirements.

The legislation includes language barring nonprofits from “endangering national security,” which could significantly affect human-rights and pro-democracy groups that have been subject to a crackdown under President Xi Jinping. A second proposed law would give Chinese authorities broad powers to regulate foreign organizations’ activities and funding.