China/Europe and the Changing Global Order Seminar Series

International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) have played an important yet often overlooked role in China since the reform and opening-up era, contributing to a diverse range of social, economic, and environmental initiatives. Their presence was facilitated by a loosely regulated environment and an ambiguous stance from the Chinese central government. However, since the mid-2000s, state control over INGOs has intensified, culminating in a systematic consolidation of restrictions in the post-2013 period. This research examines the evolving mechanisms of state control, identifying three key strategies: gatekeeping, co-optation, and indirect pressure on domestic partners and beneficiaries. In response, INGOs have adopted a range of adaptation strategies, including narrative shifts to align with Chinese state discourse, programmatic reorientation away from grassroots partnerships, and organizational restructuring through regionalization and de-integration. These adaptations have allowed INGOs to maintain a presence in China but have also led to a growing divergence between their global missions and China-specific activities. 

Drawing on fieldwork conducted in China, this research offers a comprehensive analysis of how INGOs navigate an increasingly restrictive political landscape. It provides fresh insights into the evolving relationship between China and the international, highlighting broader implications for global governance, transnational activism, and the role of INGOs in authoritarian contexts.

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