Aizhixing

21 May 2010 - The Aizhixing Institute, a prominent AIDS activist group in China, is facing investigation by the authorities. Wan Yan hai, its founder, who recently fled the country, fears its closure is imminent. Investigators from the Tax Bureau visited the Aizhixing office on Wednesday, asking for documents about overseas funding back to 2002. Wan said it was simply impossible to find all the documents in time, which may lead to closure of the Center. Another scenario is that the Center will be faced with heavy fines, also leading to its closure. This latest initiative of the authorities has stoked fears of a further crack-down on civil society groups. Sadly, what it all comes down to is that HIV/AIDS patients in China will suffer.