This is just between us: understanding the cooperation between village authorities and folk religious NGOs in China’s rural governance

Abstract Despite the temptation to view it as such, rural governance in China is not always organized through unilateral state control. Several folk religious NGOs are now active in rural China, some of which informally cooperate with village authorities in rural governance. To understand the forms of such cooperation and the opportunity space that sustains it, this research introduces a 'behavioural logic–action strategy' framework and employs a qualitative approach combining methods such as participant observation and semi-structured interviews with village cadres and religious leaders. For village authorities with limited governance resources, leveraging the social capital of folk religious NGOs can enhance the effectiveness of rural governance, but vigilance should also be exercised against challenges to their authority; for folk religious NGOs, participating in rural governance can increase their local influence and consolidate their legitimacy. Based on their autonomous action strategies, the two parties have engaged in non-institutionalised and unequal cooperation in rural governance. In the long term, as state capacity expands in rural areas, folk religious NGOs may face unforeseen development opportunities. This research challenges conventional perspectives based on the corporatist framework and provides original empirical insights into the relationship between the state and NGOs.