The Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs has issued a circular declaring that six national-level non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been canceled.

The NGOs in question were the China Society for the Study of Sun Zi, a great military strategist of the late Spring and Autumn period (770 B.C.-476 B.C.) and the Culture of Ancient Qi State, the China International Council for Quality Appraisal, the China Northwestern Economy Association, the National Society for the Study of Media Theory, the China International Council for the Promotion of Pigeon at Squares, and the China Investment Environment Society.

These bodies were canceled for violating Clause 39 of the provisions on the registration of non-governmental organizations, which requires all such organizations to have their registration renewed every year.

Under Chinese law, no organization is allowed to operate without official registration.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2004)