NGO development in China's ethnic areas

Abstract

While China has enjoyed rapid economic growth in the past three decades, its social structure has also undergone significant changes. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are playing an increasingly important role in local social and economic development. NGOs in China's ethnic areas are also emerging and many of them are doing a commendable job in education, poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and protection of women and children's rights and interests. This study looks at the development of NGOs in China in general and in China's ethnic areas in particular, and examines the way NGOs operate. We find that despite all the difficulties of human and financial resources, many NGOs have persisted in their good work. The future development of NGOs, however, requires that the state provide a better legal environment, and that the society provide more support. NGOs are the key players in a civil society. Without strong NGOs, there would be no strong civil society. The resolution of ethnic conflicts in minority areas needs a strong civil society with NGOs as key players.