BEIJING, Dec. 22 -- A new bill to regulate overseas nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) was tabled for its first reading on Monday.

The bill on NGOs based outside the Chinese mainland was submitted to the bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which runs Monday to Sunday.

Overseas NGOs will have to register with and be approved by Chinese authorities if they want to set up representative offices in the mainland or temporarily operate on the mainland for a certain program, said Yang Huanning, vice minister of public security, while elaborating the bill to lawmakers.

The bill aims to regulate the activities of overseas NGOs in China, protect their legal rights and interests, and promote exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreigners, Yang said.

There are provisions on the operation and fundraising of overseas NGOs on the mainland as well as their management and supervision.

The bill states that governments at all levels are obligated to provide policy consultation, assistance and guidance for overseas NGOs so that they can effectively and legally operate in the mainland.

It also includes punishments for NGOs if they violate the law.

A growing number of overseas NGOs have engaged in charity and played a positive role in China since the reform and opening-up drive started in the late 1970s, Yang said.

"It is necessary to have a law to regulate, guide and supervise their activities," he added.