China now has 230,000 registered non-governmental organizations (NGO), covering economic, social, cultural, educational, scientific and legal areas, an official from the Ministry of Civil Affairs said here Saturday.

Li Ben'gong, director of the ministry's NGO Bureau, told a seminar on NGO development and governance that the development of NGOs is closely linked to the efforts made by the Chinese government in the past two decades.

China has improved laws and regulations regarding NGOs, defining their status and role, and has helped set up a number of professional associations, commerce chambers and other NGOs.

Li expected that NGOs in China will play a bigger role as the government is making continued efforts to transform its functions, especially after the country's entry into the World Trade Organization.

Jiang Li, deputy minister of civil affairs, said China needs more NGOs, including intermediate organizations in social and economic sectors, and NGOs working for the whole community.

About 240 experts from China, the United States, Britain, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea and other countries attended the seminar, which concluded Saturday.

Jiang Zemin, in his report to the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, said the Party's door is open to all positive factors of the society, including private entrepreneurs, foreign-invested firm employees, self-employed businessmen and freelance professionals, he also said that the Party should advance with the times. What's your opinion?