Li Keqiang wants tax breaks for NGOs specialising in Aids/HIV work
The next premier takes the lead to promote reform, stressing the importance of NGOs in the battle to prevent the disease from spreading
Premier-in-waiting Li Keqiang has asked the Ministry of Finance to arrange a pilot programme that would give tax breaks to NGOs specialising in HIV/Aids prevention, as part of the government's attempt to reach out to grass-roots groups to help fight the disease.
"The promotion of institutional reform in society requires the participation of [all] forces of society," Li said at an inter-ministerial meeting on Aids prevention this week, adding that reformation in supporting NGOs' work on Aids prevention could provide lessons for broader social reform.
The government assembly and Li's surprise meeting with 12 Aids activist groups on Monday, reported by the Post yesterday, was not made public on the mainland through state media until last night.
Stressing that the role of non-governmental organisations in Aids prevention "is an irreplaceable and unique force", Li was reported by CCTV as telling the NGO representatives that they "will be given greater space to play [their] role".
In the CCTV report, Li was shown shaking hands with the NGOs representatives, some of whom have the disease. Discrimination against people with HIV/Aids is common in China.
Li asked officials in the inter-ministerial meeting to explore setting up an Aids-prevention fund, buying NGOs services as well as offering tax breaks and even exemption to NGOs.