The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

NDI programs in China seek to promote public participation and transparency in governance. Since 2000, the Institute has worked to promote the use of public hearings, assist in the development of democratic governance models, and support the emerging role of civil society. A field office in Hong Kong, opened in 2002, manages NDI’s China programs.

Over the last 30 years, China’s booming economic development has created an increasingly diverse society, characterized by considerable dynamism and a strong modernizing impulse. The drive toward modernization and the evolution of values, including growing recognition of the importance of accountability, have led to incremental reforms in government processes that present some opportunities for citizen participation. In addition, China’s lawmaking system has expanded to foster and protect the country’s rapid economic growth as well as to align it with international trade standards. While the changes in China’s lawmaking system have been primarily economically-driven, they nevertheless foster a broader awareness of the importance of legislation and rule of law in general. NDI is working to support the incremental reforms that have provided a foundation for greater representation and openness in governance in China. Additionally, NDI is assisting in developing replicable models of democratic governance.

Current Activities

Contact Information