China will debate a new law next week aiming to regulate foreign non-government organisations (NGOs), officials announced yesterday.

The government began an investigation into the operations of NGOs several months ago as part of a security drive ordered by a new national commission headed by President Xi Jinping.

The national security commission helps the administration to co-ordinate responses to domestic and foreign security challenges.

The city of Guangzhou had already put in place a protocol to regulate NGOs with foreign funding but regulators were forced to revise a controversial clause amid public uproar.

Under those regulations, charity organisations operating in the city would have had their licenses revoked if they were found to be predominately funded from overseas or if they were overseen by foreign institutions.

But the new Bill will require overseas NGOs to register with, and be approved by, the authorities if they want to set up representative offices or operate temporarily.

“The new Bill will aim to regulate the activities of overseas NGOs in China, protect their legal rights and interests and promote exchanges and co-operation between Chinese and foreigners,” said deputy public security minister Yang Huanning.

Academics from Tsinghua and Beijing universities had called on MPs to give legal status to overseas charities.

They had laid out suggested rules clarifying registration procedures for foreign NGOs and their legal status, rights and liabilities.

A spokesman said their legislative proposals were “moderate and neutral.”

NGOs have mushroomed in China in recent years and can have a confrontational relationship with the government, especially if they work with sensitive groups.

Many foreign NGOs also operate in China, though they have traditionally registered as businesses as the approval process is easier, but this subjects them to heavy taxes.

And under current regulations, only 1,500 of 4,100 existing foundations have the authorisation to raise funds from the public.