China has issued new rules demanding the establishment of Communist Party panels in non-government bodies, aiming to beef up the ruling party's role in such social groups, amid a broad crackdown on civil society.
Western governments and rights groups have already lambasted a law passed in April, saying it treats foreign nongovernmental organizations as a criminal threat and would effectively force many out of the country.
The new guidelines, released late on Sunday by the general office of the party's central committee and the Cabinet-level State Council say party committees must be set up to ensure "effective cover" in all NGOs.