Jennifer Y.J. Hsu

The Local Corporatist State and NGO Relations in China

This article examines the Chinese states interactions and influences on the development of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) through a corporatist framework. It suggests that not only is the central state actively involved in the development of NGOs, but increasingly the successes of NGOs are determined by their interactions with the local state. We profile NGOs in Shanghai, of varying sizes, budgets and issue-areas, as a case study to understand the interplay between NGOs and the local state. The article further discusses reasons behind the growing shift from central to local state influences, and the potential future implications for state–NGO relations in China.

Isomorphic Pressures, Epistemic Communities and State-NGO Collaboration in China

The English version of this paper can be found at http://ssrn.com/abstract=2319035. Chinese Abstract: 该论文指出，中国政府与非政府组织（NGO）之间合作的缺乏并不能完 全归咎于政府对该领域发展的限制，或是出于对一个潜在的政府反对者的害怕。与北京和上海的NGO 访谈显示， 政府与NGO 之间缺乏有意义的合作的部分原 因是同构压力，以及政府对于NGO 活动认知的缺乏。事实上，证据显示，一旦政府获得了对NGO 工作的认知，它将会更加愿意与NGO 建立联系。当然必须说明的是，政府想要利用的是NGO 的物质资源，而非他们的象征性，阐释性，或是地理上的资本。 English Abstract: This article suggests that a lack of meaningful collaboration between the state and NGOs in China is not solely a result of the state seeking to restrict the development of the sector, or fear of a potential opposing actor to the state. Instead, interviews with NGOs in Beijing and Shanghai suggests that a lack of meaningful engagement between the state and NGOs can be partially attributed to isomorphic pressures within state-NGO relations, and insufficient epistemic awareness of NGO activities on the part of the state. In fact, the evidence suggests that once epistemic awareness is achieved by the state, they will have a stronger desire to interact with NGOs – with the caveat that the state will seek to utilize the material power of NGOs, rather than their symbolic, interpretive or geographical capital.

NGOs in China: Issues of Good Governance and Accountability

Drawing on interviews conducted among leading local and international NGOs operating in China, this article examines how NGOs understand and implement good governance and accountability principles and practices. It also examines how Chinese constituents and the general public perceive local and international NGOs. The discussion provides a basis on which to assess ways of improving governance and accountability practices for NGOs operating in China.

Layers of the Urban State: Migrant Organisations and the Chinese State

This paper explores the development of migrant non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and their interactions with central and local Chinese state. The paper suggests that, while the central state is actively managing NGOs in Beijing and Shanghai with a strong regulatory framework, the urban local state, particularly at the district level, is increasingly an important actor in ensuring the effectiveness of migrant NGOs’ activities. In this vein, the paper presents a model of state–migrant NGO relations, the subsequent informal rules that emerge from this reality and the implications thereafter for state-society relations in China.

Spaces of civil society: the role of migrant non-governmental organizations in Beijing and Shanghai

This article examines the impact of migrant non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the development of civil society in Beijing and Shanghai. Interviews with migrant NGOs’ representatives and government departments suggest that the expansion of civil society is dependent on both state and society actors. That is, civil society, viz. migrant NGOs, do not reflect the normative ideal of civil society – whereby, a separation of state and society activities is emphasized. The article will instead argue that civil society in this context can be seen as a descriptive concept and is used as a starting point to understand a complex inter-relationship between migrant NGOs and the state.

Social Development in the Tibet Autonomous Region: A Contemporary and Historical Analysis

Purpose - This paper seeks to historically examine social development outcomes in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) in respect to poverty eradication, education and employment, health care and social integration. Moreover, it will aims to offer tangible advice for improving future social development work in TAR. Design/methodology/approach - The main theoretical approach is a literature and policy review of social development in TAR from 1951 to present. Findings - Seemingly, Tibets social development strategy has been achieved through a strong top-down approach. However, the road ahead for TAR once basic needs are satisfactorily met, is a move towards a participatory approach, whereby Tibetans can directly contribute and have a stake in their own futures. Originality/value - This paper will be of interest to those who want a definitive account of recent historical social development strategies and outcomes in TAR; and subsequently, the future possibilities and challenges for development in the region.

Chinese Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society: A Review of the Literature

This article reviews the literature on Chinese non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society and argues that to understand the transformative potential of Chinese NGOs we need to consider beyond macro-level political change. By looking at the tactics and strategies of engagement between NGOs and the state, it becomes clear that Chinese NGOs are capable of affecting communities and change at the local level. Furthermore, to fully understand the capacity of Chinese NGOs, this article argues that we cannot insist on a state-society separation as we would in other jurisdictions because it would not lead to fruitful analysis. The state of the field is assessed through an interdisciplinary lens, characterised by four major themes: the linkage between the rise of NGOs and the expansion of civil society; the rise of NGOs as a reflection of state-society relations; NGO sectoral development and, to a lesser extent, the development of theory and frameworks.

A Maturing Civil Society in China? The Role of Knowledge and Professionalization in the Development of NGOs

This article suggests that Chinese NGO do not have the conviction that they are part of an epistemic community in mainland China. Interviews conducted in four cities, Chongqing, Kunming, Nanjing and Shanghai, suggests that this can be attributed to a lack of set standards and professionalization governing their sector of operation. Further, the study finds that Chinese NGOs do not see their primary role is to produce knowledge within their organizational development life cycle. This may indicate a varying path towards the maturation of the civil society sector in China, whereby Chinese NGOs do not conform to the organizational development process as outlined in extant NGO literature.

‘Going Out’ or Staying In? The Expansion of Chinese NGOs in Africa

This article examines the overseas behaviour of Chinese non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in two African nations, Ethiopia and Malawi, with varying political regime types. Our findings suggest that, irrespective of regime type, Chinese NGOs have yet to make a substantial impact in either nation. We argue that, despite the strength of the Chinese state and high levels of international development assistance given, domestic politics and regulatory frameworks in host nations still matter a great deal. Our study suggests that the Chinese model of international development will continue to be one in which temporary one-off projects are favoured; and, insofar as social organisations will play a role, they will be in the domain of government-organised NGOs rather than grassroots NGOs.

Communities of Practice and the NGO Sector in China

Communities of practice (CoP) represent an important resource for the creation and sharing of sector-specific knowledge. Drawing upon detailed interviews with NGOs, this article explores the development of CoP in China. In particular, the study tests whether CoPs have emerged as an important mechanism for knowledge sharing, developing social capital, and coping with organizational change. This is particularly significant for the relatively new NGO sector in China, who operates in a changing authoritarian institutional environment.