China did not used to think of NGO’s highly and their definition of civil society would not have been correct almost no matter who you talked you. I question if the UN’s Fourth World Conference was not held in Beijing would China ever have developed in the realm of NGOs. This whole article is written on the premise that civil society is developed on the social phenomenon that comprises connotation, essence and extension . That civil societies are an associational life style that will lead to the pursuit of good society and citizens and become a major advocate for democracy and public rights. The contradictory part as mentioned by Marry Gallagher is that not everyone has the same definition of civil society and what the comprises.

Marry also brings up what I believe to be a very good point that it seems like too much emphasis is being placed on the development of NGOs and how it going to produce this euphoric civil society. There are still problems with the development of Civil Society in China, yet he only paints a picture of three different positive paths forward. I would hope that whatever changes in China will be positive and lead towards democracy and the ideal Civil society, but I feel it it very plausible that could end up on the opposite end like Weimar Germany that turned into the Nazi Party. The only reason I see this as an option is because it stemmed from weak political institutionalization and not trusting their government. Well, these are issues that China has as well, so I think she  is right when that if NGOs and civil society has any chance of a healthy development in China the expectations need to be lowered.