Chinese Aids activists on Thursday accused the Communist Party’s new No 2 Li Keqiang of hypocrisy after he called for more non-government efforts to fight the disease.
The ruling party has long been suspicious of HIV/Aids campaigners because of their refusal to support official policy, and activists accused Li – expected to become prime minister in March – of overseeing deliberate oppression.
He was party boss of Henan province in the 1990s when it was hit by China’s most debilitating Aids epidemic. It stemmed from a tainted government-backed blood donation programme and infected tens of thousands of people, including entire villages.
Li’s provincial government responded with a crackdown on the victims and their activist supporters.
Li, now a vice premier and head of a cabinet-level commission on HIV/Aids, was quoted in state media on Thursday as praising the role of NGOs and calling for them to step up their activities.
“Civil societies play an indispensable role in the national battle against HIV/Aids,” the quoted him as saying ahead of Saturday’s UN World Aids Day.
“The government should support them in funding, registration and boosting their capacity.”
