CHINA’S National People’s Congress has passed a charity law that promises to support the country’s nonprofit sector but could spark resistance from certain groups, including some of the organizations it aims to help, the Wall Street Journal reports.

    The new law, which makes it easier for charities to register and raise funds, enhances tax incentives for giving, and makes it easier for the wealthy to establish charitable trusts, could boost a sector that has been hampered by government restrictions and scandals despite the increasing number of wealthy entrepreneurs in China and a growing Chinese middle class. The law also imposes tougher transparency requirements on charities in a bid to restore the public’s confidence in the sector.

    Crucially, according to Edward Cunningham, director of the Ash Center’s China Programs and the Harvard Kennedy School Asia Energy and Sustainability Initiative, the law does not limit the number of nonprofit groups that can work in an area — a tactic other governments have used to keep civil society fragmented. “From the philanthropy side and public policy side, it’s very well written,” Cunningham told the Journal.

    The law could run into resistance, however, from local government officials who don’t understand or appreciate the charitable sector, or who may be afraid of being seen as too cozy with the charitable sector.

    “There’s this assumption these days,” said Cunningham, “that when there are intimate partnerships between private wealth and local government, there necessarily must be something nefarious going on.”

    Grass-roots organizations also are worried that the law is unclear on newer forms of fundraising such as crowdfunding. (SD-Agencies)