Page 39 - 2022 OUTLINE OF THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR REPUBLIC OF CHINA

associations at all levels for approval. Whereas political associations (including political parties) shall all
be called political parties and shall adopt a filing system in accordance with the provisions of Article 3
of the Political Parties Act, after its implementation on December 6, 2017. Additionally, all nationwide
political associations shall be converted to political parties within two years, or their registered permits

shall be abolished if the political associations fail to complete such conversion within the limit time in
accordance with the provisions of Article 43 of the Political Parties Act.

Upholding the governance spirit of implementing low-degree government management and
high-degree associational autonomy, the Preparatory Office continues to take various measures, includ-

ing promoting the study and revision of relevant laws and regulations, relaxing the legal regulations
related to civil associations, and expanding the application of the information systems of civil associa-
tions, to promote the vigorous development of civil society.

Table 4-1 Number of Civil Associations at All Levels
Unit: Associations

(End of) Year Social Associations Occupational Associations

2017 51 663 11 115

2018 54 227 11 174

2019 57 302 11 213

2020 59 783 11 267

2021 61 863 11 324

1. Social Associations
A social association refers to a group of people who gather together based on common interests,
beliefs, geographical areas, or blood ties; the nature of the gathering is to achieve personal interests
or ideals. The nature of social associations focuses more on the social level, and the types of social

associations include academic and cultural, medical and health, religious, sports and exercise, social
services, charitable, international, economic, environmental protection, clan associations, hometown
associations, fellow alumni associations, etc., or other groups with the purpose of public welfare.

37