China and Civil Society

SCOPE

 

The role of civil society in mediating between the State and its citizens, and its place in social movements that are often international in scope, has occupied scholars as a growing question after the collapse of Communism, with the need for an approach to address the mounting social problems of a new era. In the West, civil society emerged with the Enlightenment, and the end of absolutist and monarchial governments in Europe. Often allied with the merchant class, this movement sought to defend its interests against both Church and State, and established liberal institutions. While China followed a different course, some would compare the recent economic reforms to a new stage in capitalism, with its concomitant class formation. Thus the entry of a liberal and educated class with limited autonomy with respect to the State has emerged, and expresses increasingly dissenting views from the official Party doctrine.



In China, 'social groups' may now be established under an official organ of the Communist Party with relative autonomy, although still under direct supervision of the government. Recognising that State agencies can no longer provide welfare or expertise in many areas, the Party concedes a subordinate role for what in Western nations are called 'non-governmental organisations (NGOs).' Western agencies with an international mandate have also been permitted to establish programmes in China, usually in joint sponsorship with a local group or State authority.



Some view this more liberal policy as a preparation for further democratisation in China, since it often permits those who had no official existence in the past to become a focus of concern. Yet without a universal franchise, the influence of these groups remains circumscribed. Practically, the central government does not have sufficient funds to operate schools or hospitals on the large scale that it had in the past. Partly this is because new revenues are often retained in the more affluent regions, thus not remitted to Beijing. Also, State organs did not anticipate the scale of new problems, such as widespread unemployment and environmental crises. How much latitude the Party is prepared to give the social groups in both meeting these needs and expressing their views openly remains to be seen.



Such groups span the range of social concern: environmental protection, the rights of minorities, alternative schools, organic farming, renewable energy, and feminist issues. Whether they are imitations of their Western partners, or have an indigenous basis, they are forming a new influence within China that is not wholly recognised in the West. The formation of links with overseas agencies, and with movements in Hong Kong and Taiwan, both transcend and confront the limits of the Chinese state. The voluntary sector is likely to undergo continued growth and evolution for the foreseeable future.

 

People's Republic of China

 

Chinese



北京之春

JQ 1516 .C464 1091 v.1-



近代中國對民主的追求

JQ 1516 .C4524 1996



中國民辦利物匯編

JQ 1516 .C464 1981



中國民權保障同盟

JQ 1516 .C46 1979



中國人權百科全書

JC 571 .C57 1998X EAST (CR)



中國人權辭書

JC 599 .C6C526 1993X EAST (CR)



人權讀書

JQ 1516 .C454 1998 EAST

English



Beijing's Street Voices: the Poetry and Politics of China's Democracy Movement

JQ 1516 .G663



China's Provinces in Reform: Class, Community, and Political Culture

JQ 1519 .A598C5 1997X ROBA



Civic Discourse, Civil Society, and Chinese Communities

JQ 1516 .C56 1999X ROBA



Civil Society in China

JQ 1516 .C58 1997X ROBA



Democratic Implications for Civil Society in China

JQ 1516 .H38 1997X ROBA



Democratization in China and Taiwan: the Adaptability of Leninist Parties

JQ 1519 .A45D53 1997 ROBA



The Emergence of Civil Society in China

JC 599 .C6F76 1996 ROBA



Explaining Chinese Democratization

JQ 1516 .H8 2000X



Generational Difference in Political attitudes and Political Behaviour in China

JQ 1516 .S45 1999 ROBA



Gifts, Favours, and Banquets: the Art of Social Relationships in China

HN 733.5 .Y366 1994 ROBA



The Individual and the State in

JQ 1516 .M65 1998X ROBA



Intellectuals and the State in Post-Mao China

JQ 1516 .M65 1998X ROBA



Problems of Democratization in China

JQ 1516 .L85 2000X ROBA



In Search of Chinese Democracy

JQ 1516 .F86 2000 ROBA



What if China Doesn't Democratize?: Implications for War and Pearce

JQ 1516 .W48 2000X ROBA

 

Hong Kong

 

Hong Kong from Britain to China: Political Cleavages, Electoral Dynamics, and Institutional Changes

JQ 1539.5 .A58L5 2000 ROBA



Hong Kong under Chinese Rule

JQ 1539.5 .A91N48 1998X ROBA



The Politics of Democratization in Hong Kong

JQ 1539.5 .A91L65 1997 ROBA

 

Taiwan

 

The Great Transition: Political and Social Change in the Republic of China

JQ 1522 .T54 1989 ROBA



Taiwan's Electoral Politics and Democratic Transition: Riding the Third Wave

JQ 1538 .T353 1996X ROBA

 

Websites

 

Agriculture



Chaoda Modern Agriculture:

A site in Chinese, Japanese, and English on a large commercial exporting company of organically grown food products from various sites in China. Useful for recent news on regulating organic certification in China and links to international bodies and research institutes.

Organic Food Development Center:

A government-sponsored institute established in 1994 on research into organic foods and regulations, with eighteen regional centres. Site in Chinese only.

Produce Green Foundation, Hong Kong:

Site in Chinese and English on a non-profit group with workshops on organic farming and diet, handicrafts and related ecological issues. Visits to organic farms and rural ares of ecological interest, materials for public education.

Zhejiang Wuji Jinshan Tea Industry:

An organic tea company in Wuyi county, Zhejiang province. Site in Chinese and English.



Animal Welfare



Asian Animal Protection Network:

Site in Chinese and English on all aspects of animal welfare protection: vivisection, vegetarianism and veganism, wildlife habitat protection, uses of animal products in traditional medicine, fishing and hunting. Covers China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and southeast Asia.

World Wildlife Fund:

Site in Chinese and English on wildlife protection specific to China with emphasis on south China, and links to other campaigns.

World Wildlife Fund, China:

Site currently in Chinese only on Wildlife protection: ecological reserves, climate change, reforestation.



Children's Rights



China Service, Hong Kong:

Site in Chinese and English on child welfare and primary education initiatives, primarily in mainland China, a branch of Hong Kong Caritas, a Catholic-based agency.

Half the Sky Foundation:

Site in English only of an American agency for adoption and sponsorship of Chinese orphans, and establishment of infant and early childhood education programmes in China.

Holt International Children's Services

Tzu Chi Foundation, Hope Project:

Site in Chinese only on a Buddhist-based charity in Taiwan helping to build schools in mainland China.



Education:



National Committee on U.S.-China Relations:

Site in English only on academic and governmental exchanges and research between China and teh United States.

Sowers Action:

A group based in Hong Kong assisting with primary education in mainland China. Site in Chinese and English.



Energy



China New Energy:

Site in Chinese and English on renewable energy research in mainland China: research institute based at the Guangzhou Institute for Energy Conversion. Research covers a wide range of application: wind, solar, tidal, biomass, thermal and others.

China Renewable Energy Industries Association:

Site in Chinese and English on various projects through the private sector: solar thermal and photovoltaic, geothermal, hydro, tidal, hybrid.

International Network on Small Hydro Power:

Site in Chinese and English of a United Nations-affliated agency based in Hangzhou, China promoting small-scale hydroelectric projects worldwide.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory, China:

Site in English only of an American research institute assisting China in renewable energy technologies.



Environmental groups



China Environmental Protection:

A government-sponsored site in Chinese and English on various projects and research in environmental protection, with an emphasis on state policies viewing the environment as a problem confronting further economic progress.

China Environmental Review:

Clear the Air, Hong Kong:

A citizen's group advocating for more strict emission controls for automobiles and industries, with a number of articles and press releases on air quality and monitering in Hong Kong.

The Conservancy Association:

Site in Chinese and English on the oldest non-governmental group in Hong Kong, aimed at preserving natural areas and promoting policies for sustainable development elsewhere.

Environmental Education:

Site in Chinese only on aspects of envrionmental education, based in Taiwan.

Environmental Planning and Sustainable Development China:

Another government-based site in Chinese with some English-language documents, with national and regional surveys of environmental issues and projects.

Friends of Nature:

Site in Chinese and English of a non-governmental group based in Beijing, focussing on environmental education and campaigns throughout China, and affiliated with the non-governmental Academy for Chinese Culture.

Global Emergency Room:

Site in Chinese on environmental education and projects in mainland China.

Green Power

Site in Chinese and English on environmental education initiatives in Hong Kong and Guangzhou, including a demonstration eco-village.

Hong Kong Vegan Society:

Site in Chinese, English, French, and Japanese on vegan philosophy, with a view to both the international and Hong Kong situation.

Kandoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Hong Kong:

A botanical garden and organic farm with a focus on environmental education and sustainability in South China.

Leadership for Environment and Development China:

Site in Chinese and English on a national branch of LEAD, a non-governmental organisation sponsoring training programmes for working professionals in environmental and social sustainability.

Three Gorges:

Site in English only from the International Rivers Network, an American group, opposed to the damming of the Three Gorges on the Yangzi River in China.

Tibet Environmental Watch:

Site in English only on environmental and cultural threats to Tibet, and on local projects concerning solar and wind energy and sustainable agriculture.



Exchange



Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada:

A research institute, established by the federal government in 1984, to explore Canada-Asia relations, with a strong basis in promoting commercial ties. Site in English and French

Canada-China Legislative Association:

Site in English and French on Canada-China initiative studying Canadian political institutions for models to Chinese development.

Canada-China 3x3 Partnership:

Three Canadian universities: the Universities of British Columbia and Toronto, and McGill University, matched with Nankai, Peking, and Tsinghua Universities in 1994 to establish bilateral exchanges in the fields of medicine, information technology, engineering, business, law, environmental science, and others. Site in English only.

Canada-China Business Council:

Site in Chinese, English, and French on exchanges and programmes for the Canada-China business sector.

Canada-China Society of Science and Technology Industries:

Site in English only of this society based in Alberta promoting technical exchange.

Canadian Government in China:

Site in Chinese, English, and French for the Canadian consulates in Chongching, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, and the embassy in Beijing.

Canada-Taiwan Trade Association:

Also based in Vancouver, on programmes and exchanges offered to further trade between Taiwan and Canada. Site in English only.

Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada:

Site in Chinese and English on the services and programmes of the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa.

German-China Association:

Site in English and German on programmes and research between Germany and China, based in Hamburg.

Great Britain-China Centre:

Based in London, a group promoting exchange and research between British and Chinese nationals. Site in English only.

Hong Kong-Canada Business Association:

Site in English only on commercial association established in 1984 with branches in most major Canadian cities.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Canada:

The equivalent of a diplomatic office for Taiwan, site in Chinese and English, on services and exchanges offered by the Taiwanese government in Canada.

University of British Columbia:

Site in English only of programmes and exchanges offered with China through the University of British Columbia.

University of Victoria, Asia-Pacific Bridge:

An equivalent site for the University of Victoria, with links to programmes regarding China. Site in English only.

YMCA Community Leadership Initiative, a Canada-China Program for Voluntary Sector Development:

A programme based in Vancouver on assisting the growth and support of the voluntary sector in China. Site in English only.



Handicrafts



Chinese Ceramics Association Taiwan:

Site in Chinese and English on groups, and exhibits and promotions on ceramic art in Taiwan.

Chinese Folk Fine Arts Information Service System:

Site in Chinese and English from Southeast University on a wide variety of Chinese folk arts, with numerous images, including paper cuts, woodcuts, weaving, dyeing, toys. Some links inoperable.



Human Rights



Asia-Pacific Public Affairs Forum, Taiwan:

Site in Chinese and English on a research NGO focussed on promoting approaches to common issues in the Asia-Pacific among NGOs, and the public and private sector, including human rights and governance, environmental and business development.

China Society for Human Rights Studies:

A site sponsored by the Chinese government, with its views on human rights issues, a list of regulations and State-recognised agencies. In Chinese and English.

China Taiwan Relations Virtual Library:

Database in Chinese and English of political and civic groups on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, including policy statements and recent articles on issues of Taiwan's international status.

Hong Kong Human Rights Commission:

Hong Kong site in English on the human rights situation there, with some reference to mainland China.

Tibet Information Network:

Site in English, with some articles in Chinese and Tibetan, on struggles to preserve Tibetan culture and language against assimilation policies of the Chinese government.

Tibet Pages (Xizang Zhiye):

Site in Chinese and Tibetan, with a summarised list of articles in English, aimed at educating ethnic Chinese on the status of Tibet and related human rights issues.



International Development



Amity Foundation (Nanjing):

Site in English of a Chinese Christian voluntary group focussed on rural development and disaster relief, health and education in China.

Asian Foundation on Chinese Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs):

Articles in English on the growth of the NGO sector in China, with emphasis on the legal climate established by the Chinese state, and related links to areas of women's rights, local governance, legal rights, and regional programmes.

China Association for NGO Cooperation:

Site in Chinese and English on a group supporting NGO development and collaboration in China.

China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development:

A site in English on a state-appointed secretariat advising the Chinese government on environmental issues, funded and represented jointly with Canada.

China Development Brief:

Online journal in English based in Beijing for the China aid community, with articles on recent issues in aid projects and profiles of Chinese and foreign NGOs.

China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges:

Site in Chinese and English on United Nations Development Programme (UHDP) and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) initiatives in China.

CHINA-MAP (Yangtse River Delta):

Site in English, the result of a project with the Sino-U.S. Science and Technology Protocal in the Atmospheric Sciences, showing initial results of research into air pollution generated by agriculture.

Development Organisation of Rural Sichuan:

Site in Chinese and English of a British NGO for women and the poorest in Sichuan villages, with participatory development as a focus.

International Rivers Network, Three Gorges Dam:

Site in English with articles opposed to the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangzi River, with environmental and social impacts assessed.

Hong Kong Council of Social Services:

Site in Chinese and English, with a directory of social service agencies based in Hong Kong, with overseas projects listed.

The Network of Foundations and Non-Profit Organisations (China):

Site in Chinese and English on an association funded by the U.S.-based Asia Foundation to promote NGO development in China.

Oxfam Hong Kong:

Site in Chinese and English on aid projects in southwest and northwest China, Vietnam and the Philippines, and in Hong Kong.

Project for the Blind-Tibet:

Site in Dutch, English, French, and German on a Tibetan project to introduce schools and vocational programees for the blind.

Tibet Heritage Fund:

Site in English on Lhasa-based group preserving heritage buildings and temples in major Tibetan cities, and documenting sites for protection.

World Bank, China:

Site in Chinese and English on projects funded by the World Bank, including those related to rural development, welfare and education, and the environment.

World Trade Organisation and China:

Site in English of the U.S.-China Business Council advancing commercial prospects for China in the WTO.

World Vision International, Hong Kong:

Site in Chinese and English of this Christian relief agency with numerous projects in China.

Zigen Fund:

Site in Chinese and English on an American group sponsoring grassroots, mostly rural, projects in China.



Women's Rights



Association for the Advancement of Feminism, Hong Kong:

Site in Chinese on feminist issues: reproductive rights and health, social and professional concerns.

Center of Research on Gender, Kaohsiung Medical University:

Taiwanese institute on issues of gender in contemporary society.

Taiwan Women's Development Association:

Site in Chinese advocating for women's rights.

Womenet:

Site in Chinese and English provides a directory of Chinese agencies on feminist issues, mostly in Taiwan.

 

Subject
Arts and Culture
Area of study
China studies