China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs issues new rules on social organizations requiring branches to establish Party organizations and strictly banning clan-based associations

In July 2026, China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs issued the Measures for the Administration of Branches and Representative Offices of Social Organizations, stipulating that branches of social organizations must accept the comprehensive leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and establish grassroots Party organizations, while completely prohibiting the establishment of clan-based and regional branches.