There was a visible presence for China during AIDS 2010, which included a delegation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from the country. Chinese officials also presented on the government’s work on HIV/AIDS, which elicited critical feedback from activists. In this article from the HIV/AIDS Policy and Law Review, conference attendees Sara L. M. Davis and Li Dan outline the main human rights issues in China’s response to HIV/AIDS.
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Phoenix (苦草工作室) is a local, grassroots Chinese organization that provides
services to sex workers living with HIV/AIDS. From June through October, 2010,
Phoenix conducted a community-driven research project to document discrimination
against women living with HIV/AIDS. The result is this report.
In June 2010, we posted this
blog post on how China’s new nonprofit regulations – including new,
stricter regulations on INGOs in China’s Yunnan Province — were affecting
grassroots groups. The essay was reposted to Chinapol (aka C-Pol), an email
list of professionals working on Chinese policy issues. The following
discussion between Asia Catalyst ED, Sara L.M. Davis (also known by her
nickname, Meg) and Shawn Shieh
of Marist College is reprinted here with consent from both.
Shawn Shieh writes:
Meg,
Thanks for writing this up. I’m actually in the middle of translating the
Yunnan regs, so if anyone has the translation already and would be willing to
share, I’d be most grateful.
I had one question and a comment. In your discussion of the Yunnan regs
on foreign NGOs, you note that foreign NGOs will have to apply for approval
with the provincial Civil Affairs and then go on to say that this will make
them [government-organized NGOs, or] GONGOs. I didn’t understand the
connection. How does applying for approval translate into becoming a
GONGO?
South African AIDS NGOs have spoken out several times to protest the detention of Henan AIDS activist Tian Xi. Tian Xi is still awaiting a decision on his trial for “intentional destruction of property”.
From the gleaming airport malls of Beijing to the grittier markets of Yunnan, Asia Catalyst traveled in China to work with local partners on strategic planning and budgeting. On this trip, we spent a few days with Phoenix in Yunnan drafting their plans and budget for the next quarter, and providing some computer training. Phoenix members also lit candles on mid-Autumn festival to commemorate two members who recently died of HIV/AIDS.
