The Beijing Aizhixing Institute was established in 1994 and is the first AIDS NGO in China. The name “Aizhixing” means “Love, Knowledge, Action” in Chinese. Aizhixing’s founder and director is Wan Yanhai, an internationally renowned AIDS activist.
Our Mission:
1) Prevent HIV/AIDS transmission through community education and outreach.
2) Fight discrimination and advocate for equal access to health and social services among marginalized communities.
3) Advocate for legal system accountability and government transparency in order to build a more robust platform for human rights in China.
Communities We Work With:
1) People living with HIV/AIDS
2) MSM/LGBT communities
3) Drug users and recovering addicts
4) Sex workers
5) Migrants
6) Ethnic minorities living in urban centers
Supporters:
Levi Strauss Foundation
MISEREOR
National Endowment for Democracy
Open Society Institute
Sidaction
Solidarité Sida
Organization Timeline:
1994
AIZHIXING organization is founded.
From 1994 to 2001, AIZHIXING primarily conducted education and outreach to gay men on HIV/AIDS education and gay rights. Outreach work was done in Dongdan Park in Beijing, a popular gay gathering spot.
2002
AIZHIXING was officially registered as Beijing AIZHIXING Institute of Health Education.
2004
AIZHIXING established China’s first AIDS hotline for people affected or infected by HIV/AIDS.
Helped establish the National Working Committee of People Infected by HIV and Hepatitis through Blood Transfusions or Using Blood Products. (During the 1990s, unsafe blood donation and collection methods resulted in widespread HIV/AIDS infections among unsuspecting peasants in rural China, particularly in Henan Province. This “blood scandal” was initially covered up by government.)
2005
The Migrant Worker Program is established.
AIZHIXING invited to attend The Global Fund Eleventh Board Meeting held in Geneva.
Due to government pressure, the organization changes its registration name to BEIJING ZHIAIXING Information & Counseling Ltd. However, the name AIZHIXING is still used publicly because it is already well known.
2006
The Uyghur Project is established in Beijing to provide services to the Uyghur floating populations and injecting drug users.
Helped establish the China National Grassroots Network (CBO) of HIV/AIDS organizations.
2007
The Female Sex Workers Center is established in Beijing to provide health education, medical care, and support to female sex workers.
AIZHIXING’s Yunnan office is established.
2008
The Research Program is established. This program partners with universities to conduct research on marginalized populations including transgender people and female sex workers in China.
The Uyghur Community Center is established in Beijing. This center provides counseling, legal aid, and assistance to Uyghur people living in Beijing. Uyghur migrants, from Xinjiang province, are a marginalized group in Beijing and face severe social discrimination.
2009
Our work with the Uyghur community is awarded a national public interest award.
2010
AIZHIXING faces increasing police and government harassment.