Legislators hear case for Red Cross scrutiny
Print Edition
CHINA’S top legislature yesterday considered a revised draft of the law governing Red Cross societies that would set up a system to monitor their officials and the use of donations.
The societies, which have suffered a credibility crisis over scandals due to a lack of transparency, should have their accounts published on a regular basis and audited by a third-party, according to the draft.
It also calls for supervisory boards to monitor officials.
The draft says anyone who misuses the Red Cross name or emblem, or who spreads rumors defaming Red Cross societies may bear civil or criminal responsibility.
Any Red Cross societies members who misappropriate donations or funds, or deal with money or goods without authorization from donors will have to take legal responsibility, it adds.
The draft was brought up for a first reading at the ongoing bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
The law was enacted in October 1993 but served more as a guide on how to organize charity groups and launch activities. It has never been revised.
However, problems had emerged as Red Cross societies developed, said Wang Longde, deputy head of the NPC’s Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee.
He said the societies needed to improve regulation of their financial and personnel management, and specify the legal responsibility of violators. The revision aims to improve supervision and internal governance in response to public concerns, he said.
China’s Red Cross societies have grappled with trust issues in recent years.
The largest of its kind, the Red Cross Society of China, came under fire in 2011 when Guo Meimei, who claimed to be a manager with the organization, flaunted her lavish lifestyle online.
That led to speculation charity money was funding her extravagance.
Though an investigation found that neither Guo nor her wealth had anything to do with the Red Cross, the story cast a shadow over the charity for quite some time and there was a dramatic drop in donations.
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