March 8 2006

"The atmosphere in China is not helped by a US State Department that now noisily declares its intention of 'promoting democracy' in Iran by funding NGOs there. Whatever vision of democracy the State Department has—and it appears to be a simplistic vision, uncomplicated by much historical understanding—it is a marvel that they cannot see the harm their antics cause to the organic development of civil societies across Russia, China and Central Asia." Thus our March Editorial, which discusses the state of environmental activism in China. On a more positive note, the same issue features a report on cooperation between a Chinese NGO and the city government of Ningbo to reshape the way that Neighbourhood Committees work with local communities to deliver services.