China has reiterated its support for local non-governmental
organization (NGOs) and urged them to strengthen their capacity
building to play a bigger role in building a harmonious
society.
Li Yong, deputy director of the State Administration of
Non-Governmental Organization, said here Monday that it was of
great importance for Chinese NGOs to strengthen capacity as a large
number were withering away each year.
Speaking at the Seminar on Chinese NGO's Capacity Building and
Sustainable Development in the New Era, the official said that
along with the country's rapid economic development, Chinese NGOs
had increased at 10-15 percent annually.
Last year, the number of officially registered NGOs totaled
354,000. Li said that while about 40,000 NGOs were approved by the
civil affairs departments each year, the concern was that about
20,000 had stopped functioning.
Another speaker, Wang Weili, director of the Council for the
Promotion of Cooperation between Chinese and International
Non-Governmental Organizations, added Chinese NGOs were facing many
ubiquitous problems. These included insufficient resources,
incapability and a lack of professionalism.
Wang said as most Chinese NGOs lacked experience and
professional training, as a result, they were incompetent of
looking at their shortcomings and in planning sustainable
development. He also urged them to enhance their capacity building
and sustainability.
(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2007)