China saw the number of non-governmental organizations (NGO) increase to 346,000 by the end of last year, 8 percent more than the previous year, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Last year, civil affairs departments at various levels worked out a set of rules regulating NGOs according to local situations. The departments provided special guidance to NGOs that are dedicated to the development of particular industries, the rural economy and charity activities, said Zhang Weilin, an official with the ministry.

Since September last year, NGOs had participated in 211 projects supporting the rural development, involving a total investment of 5.5 billion yuan (US$688 million), Zhang said.

Since 1978 when China initiated the policy of reform and opening-up, the country has witnessed a steady increase in the number of the NGOs, which are called "civilian organizations" in Chinese officialese.

Civilian organizations have served as "helpful assistants" to the government in many areas including poverty reduction, environmental protection, education, health and employment.

Jiang Li, Vice Minister of Civil Affairs, said the ministry would strengthen supervision of NGOs and map out measures this year to clean up illicit fee collections, false reporting and corruption among them.

Earlier reports said that the ministry has started to formulate methods of evaluating the structure, business, financial status and social influence of NGOs.

Currently, most of China's NGOs are small and do not have a standard operation, which result in a limited role in social affairs and inadequate trust from the public.

(Xinhua News Agency February, 4, 2007)