#China passes new laws on foreign NGOs amid international criticism

China has passed new laws on foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) state media said, amid criticism.

The full text was not immediately available, but previous drafts stated that NGOs would have to submit to police supervision and declare sources of funding.

Critics say the laws amount to a crackdown, but China has argued that such regulation is long overdue.

There are currently more than 7,000 foreign NGOs operating in China.

The bill has undergone several drafts after international criticism that it was too onerous. The White House has said the bill will "further narrow space for civil society" and constrain US-China exchanges.

Amnesty International said on Thursday (28 April) that the law was aimed at "further smothering civil society", and called on China to scrap it.

"The authorities - particularly the police - will have virtually unchecked powers to target NGOs, restrict their activities, and ultimately stifle civil society," said Amnesty's China Researcher William Nee.

"The law presents a very real threat to the legitimate work of independent NGOs and should be immediately revoked."

The Network of Chinese Human Rights Defenders described the law as "draconian" and said it would have "a profoundly detrimental impact on civil society in China".

The group said police would be allowed to exercise daily supervision and monitoring of foreign NGOs.

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