China has reiterated its support for local non-governmental organization (NGOs) and urged them to strengthen their capacity building to play a bigger role in building a harmonious society.

Li Yong, deputy director of the State Administration of Non-Governmental Organization, said here Monday that it was of great importance for Chinese NGOs to strengthen capacity as a large number were withering away each year.

Speaking at the Seminar on Chinese NGO's Capacity Building and Sustainable Development in the New Era, the official said that along with the country's rapid economic development, Chinese NGOs had increased at 10-15 percent annually.

Last year, the number of officially registered NGOs totaled 354,000. Li said that while about 40,000 NGOs were approved by the civil affairs departments each year, the concern was that about 20,000 had stopped functioning.

Another speaker, Wang Weili, director of the Council for the Promotion of Cooperation between Chinese and International Non-Governmental Organizations, added Chinese NGOs were facing many ubiquitous problems. These included insufficient resources, incapability and a lack of professionalism.

Wang said as most Chinese NGOs lacked experience and professional training, as a result, they were incompetent of looking at their shortcomings and in planning sustainable development. He also urged them to enhance their capacity building and sustainability.

(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2007)