The Shenzhen Municipal Government has urged the city's industry associations to stop ranking enterprises for profits.

Some industry associations and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) seek donations from companies by compiling lists of companies in various names, such as "most respectable companies."

The municipal civil affairs bureau has launched a campaign to uplift the "social images" of these associations and other NGOs and expand their roles. The campaign will last till the end of the year.

NGOs are also told not to seek profits by providing training courses or other services. Party or government officials will be removed from top posts of industry associations during the campaign.

The Chinese Government is encouraging the development of NGOs that will play bigger roles as the government streamlines its administrative licensing procedures.

(Shenzhen Daily June 17, 2005)