China’s civil society operates in a complex institutional environment, and it is precisely there that its unique strengths emerge. Amid uncertainty, shifting societal and state expectations and shrinking resources, actors develop creative forms of collaboration. Three voices from the field explain why China’s civil society remains resilient.
A German translation of this article was also published in the brochure: Die Kraft der Zivilgesellschaft in Asien (the article was written in November 2025).
The Civicus Map of global civil society has always shown China as the biggest country categorized under “closed” civil society space. Yet close to 900.000 national organizations are registered under the Ministry of Civil Affairs (or sub departments) as civil society organizations (CSO) of different types. There are membership based organizations, social service organizations and foundations. Thematically and methodologically there are limitations to their work, yet they are an important part of today’s China. For many years the Asiahouse Fondations China Program has been working with experts and CSOs in China. We asked three of these partners to explain their view on the civil society sector, that remains so illusive to many outside of China.
Generations Opening New Spaces
For Leo, senior staff member at a civil society organisation, the strength of China’s civil society is something that becomes visible “across several generations.” He observes a growing middle class that is giving rise to new forms of social engagement. Many young people, he notes, have learned to look beyond borders and to draw on their own values as the basis for social participation.
Leo describes this as a long-term transformation:
“The impact of Chinese civil society will unfold over several generations.”
Expanded access to education, international exposure, and a growing sense of social responsibility have encouraged more people to commit to public-interest work. Alicia, who works for an international organisation, also sees generational change as an important driving force. Students, returnees, and young professionals, she says, bring new participatory approaches into society. At the same time, she emphasises how multifaceted this field is:
“The situation of civil society is complex. There are institutional and individual constraints, but also in-between spaces.”
It is precisely these spaces, she argues, that are being used productively and open the door to new possibilities.
Between Uncertainty and Adaptive Pressure
All three interviewees describe an environment in which civil society work in China is possible but must be continually renegotiated. Leo points to structural uncertainties. In the preliminary draft of the 15th Five-Year Plan, there was no mention of social organisations, unusual compared with previous planning cycles. Many in the sector, he says, found this unsettling. At the same time, changes in international funding have increased pressure on organisations. The challenge lies in staying operational under shifting conditions while maintaining long-term orientation. James highlights that organisations must remain flexible because political, economic and international conditions are constantly evolving.
This does not guarantee stability, he says, but it does strengthen resilience:
“Because civil society organisations respond to real social needs, their existence remains legitimate regardless of external support or political change.”
Institutional conditions are not static, Alicia adds. “The lines are porous.” Some state institutions facilitate cooperation, while other areas remain sensitive. Across visible and less visible forms of engagement, a dense network of actors has emerged, each contributing to social development in different ways.
These observations do not depict direct confrontation, but rather a structure characterised by change, negotiation, and careful navigation.
Practical Strength: Everyday Creativity
In times of political and financial strain, the particular strength of local initiatives becomes visible: their ability to create new forms of everyday community. James vividly describes how Chinese organisations reoriented themselves after losing their formal NGO status. Reading groups, communal cooking, sports activities, and neighbourhood-based educational projects became ways to continue fostering community. Environmental organisations developed new funding models, including environmental education and eco-tourism. Leo sees a professional core in this: openness in dialogue, respect for different perspectives, and the patient negotiation of shared goals.
This communicative culture, he says, is the foundation of cooperation, within China and internationally. Alicia views the diversity of actors as one of Chinese civil society’s greatest assets. Not all can act independently, she notes, but this heterogeneity creates new opportunities.
“The more, the better. More opportunities, more space, more potential partners.”
Even if the sector is marked by contradictions, it is precisely this that fosters flexibility.
Resilience as a Way of Being
A thread running through all interviews is the theme of resilience.
Leo articulates it clearly: “The NGO sector can weather uncertain times better than businesses.” Lower operating costs, value-based work and strong intrinsic motivation are key factors. James adds a structural dimension: civil society persists because it is embedded in everyday life. Even if organisational forms change, the needs, relationships and motivations that sustain them remain.
Alicia captures the mood in a melancholic yet hopeful way:
"There are cycles of opening and closing. Much has been lost, much regained. But I do not believe civil society will disappear, not even under the most ‘closed’ circumstances.”
Looking Ahead: International Connections and Long-Term Impact
Despite current challenges, all three interviewees see potential in growing international cooperation. For W, partnerships can strengthen standards, open new spaces, and support long-term mutual learning. James notes that some organisations analyse the needs of state actors and engage where possibilities exist, without losing sight of their own objectives. This creates a reciprocal learning process, which can indirectly influence political developments.
China’s civil society thus appears as a field shaped by generations, in-between spaces, and everyday practices: not spectacular, not loud, but consistently active, and remarkably robust in its capacity to adapt. Amid a dynamic political and social environment, it remains a space of exchange, values, and quiet persistence. Or, as Leo puts it:
“In civil society, we are often the last optimists.”
The interviews were conducted in November 2025 by the China Program of the Asia House Foundation. The interviewees work in national Chinese or international NGOs in China. To protect their identities, pseudonyms were used.
