The National Committee was one of the first organizations to focus on the emergence of civil society in Greater China, sending leaders of American civics groups to the PRC from as early as 1976. In the early to mid 1990s, the National Committee sponsored several meetings, workshops, and exchanges between Chinese and American NGO leaders to identify organizational best practices. One such program, in the summer of 1996, brought together a group of international experts from the United States, Canada, and Thailand who presented a series of workshops in Beijing, Kunming, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

At each destination, meetings were held with organizations and policy makers. Chinese NGOs were still in a very nascent state so the focus of the workshops was on organization structure, administration and funding.

Looking for ways to confront modern challenges, the governments of Greater China have all fostered the creation of NGOs. The National Committee will continue to promote transpacific communication to accelerate the development of organizations serving the public’s needs.