Can a national civil servant be the president of the association?

You can't.

Take Hunan Province as an example:

Measures for the Administration of Trade Associations in Hunan Province

Article 18 A trade association shall have a president who is the legal representative of the trade association. The president shall meet the following conditions:

(a) engaged in the industry for more than 2 years, familiar with the industry situation, with the corresponding professional knowledge and good organization and coordination ability;

(2) Having a good social credit record;

(3) Not holding public office in a state organ at present;

(four) shall not concurrently serve as the legal representative of other social organizations;

(5) Other conditions stipulated by laws and regulations.

Extended data

Industry associations shall carry out the following work according to the articles of association and the specific conditions of the industry:

Legal basis: Article 23 of the Measures for the Administration of Trade Associations in Hunan Province.

(a) to formulate and organize the implementation of industry planning, quality standards and service standards, establish industry self-discipline mechanism, coordinate membership relations, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of members and safeguard the overall interests of the industry;

(two) to carry out industry investigation and study, to participate in the development of the industry and the government decision-making demonstration involving the interests of the industry on behalf of the industry, and to make suggestions to the government and relevant competent departments in accordance with legal procedures;

(three) organize industry training, technical consultation, information exchange, exhibition investment, new technology and new product promotion and other activities, participate in rating and appraisal, and assist in product quality certification;

(4) investigating anti-dumping, anti-monopoly and countervailing measures on behalf of enterprises in the industry, responding to the lawsuit and applying to the government for investigation;

(five) to formulate and be responsible for the implementation of intra-industry dispute settlement rules, coordinate the related production and operation matters between the industry and other industries or other organizations, coordinate the prices of products and services in the industry, and maintain a fair market economic order and a good export order;

(six) according to the authorization of laws and regulations or commissioned by the government and departments, to carry out industry statistics, release industry information, and issue a certificate of public trust;

(seven) put forward suggestions to the relevant government departments to formulate relevant standards, and participate in the formulation and revision of relevant standards;

(8) Certification trademarks and collective trademarks applied for registration for use by its members;

(9) Organizing members to carry out economic and technological exchanges and cooperation at home and abroad;

(ten) to undertake other tasks authorized by laws and regulations or entrusted by the government and its departments as well as the articles of association.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Measures for the Administration of Trade Associations in Hunan Province