China AIDS activist flees to US after harassment

Source: AP

BEIJING – A prominent Chinese AIDS activist has fled China for the United States with his wife and 4-year-old daughter to escape increasing government harassment of him and his organization, he said Monday.

Wan Yanhai's departure highlights the pressure that nongovernmental groups and activists face when operating in China, where the Communist Party leadership remains suspicious of independent groups or individuals as possible threats to their authority.

In March, the government decided to regulate overseas donations to aid groups for the first time, a move that has hurt the funding of organizations like Wan's Beijing-based Aizhixing Institute.

The restrictions on foreign donations and other intimidation tactics drove Wan and his family to leave China on Thursday on a flight out of Hong Kong, Wan said in a telephone interview, adding that they were now staying with a friend in Philadelphia.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100510/ap_on_re_as/as_china_aids_activist

China needs his hard work. Interestingly, Global Times, a state organ, mentions him as if nothing happened: http://www.globaltimes.cn/www/english/metro-beijing/lifestyle/health&food/2010-04/524867.html

Beijing's directives regarding foreign NGO funding should be clear and streamlined, and not impeded important work. His work was in no way aimed at overthrowing the government and subverting it in any way. If the Chinese state is serious about more openness in health, they should personally invite him back, and punish officials involved in any and all inappropriate acts.