Editor’s Note: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria recently decided to freeze funds destined for China based on concerns of mismanagement. The news has instigated a fierce reaction from Chinese netizens who are condemning the widespread corruption of government officials and supporting the Fund’s decision. This translated article explains the facts of the situation and includes selected comments (there were originally 542) from netizens.

Over $100 million USD in funds destined for China from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have been frozen. On May 28, the Fund’s media spokesperson confirmed the news on the phone from the organization’s central office in Switzerland. The Chief of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Disease Control stated that Global Fund money previously granted to China has already been frozen and will remain so for a maximum of three months. The International Department of the Ministry of Health is currently embroiled in negotiations with the Global Fund over this issue.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is an international financial entity created by governments and NGOs with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Since its founding in 2002, the organization has taken on the task of tackling the world’s most evil illnesses, extending its efforts into over 150 countries and regions.

According to publicly accessible resources on the organisation’s website, China has received $539 million USD from the Global Fund since 2003 and $295 million USD allocated for the country is still processing. These funds are mainly destined for projects to reduce tuberculosis transmissions, prevent and treat HIV/AIDS and eliminate malaria.

Reports state that the funds were frozen because the organization does not support the way funds have been managed.

Selected comments from netizens

May 29, 2011, 06:29 Jiangxi Province netizen “cnqmy”:
“I support the freeze. China has money for huge events like the Olympics and all kinds of international conferences. How could there be no money for medical insurance? China should act like the powerful country it is and give the money to African countries. At least then it would be safe from embezzlement by domestic officials.”
Like (6827)

May 29, 2011 06:44 Qin’an, Shandong Province netizen “urmqi hwj”:
“I support a total freeze. Unfreeze it when there aren’t any more corrupt officials!”
Like (4,127)

May 29, 2011 06:46 Wuhu, Anhui Province netizen “old blizzard horse”:
“If they’d pocket disaster relief and life-saving funds, is there anything they wouldn’t embezzle?”
Like (3,305)

May 29, 2011 06:53 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province netizen “yudashi”:
“Giving these funds to China would provide the Chinese people with an independent nonprofit organization, something currently absent in the country. Officials are in charge of China’s charities, so you just can’t trust their rules and regulations!”
Like (2,161)

May 29, 2011 06:47 Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province netizen “forest brook”:
“Freeze it! Domestic management sucks, and the money would definitely get pocketed down to the last cent.”
Like (1,547)

May 29, 2011, 06:32 Zibo, Shandong Province netizen “cf196109”:
“It’s good that they froze it. Normal people would never have seen any benefit from it anyway since it would all go straight to corrupt officials.”
Like (2,550)

May 29, 2011 06:41 Yuncheng, Shanxi Province netizen “fly to the moon”:
“It’s a mafia organization where they’re just interested in living it up!”
Like (1,849)

May 29, 2011 06:41 Shunde District, Foshan, Guangdong Province netizen, “pfyn”
Original post: 2011-05-29 06:29 Jiangxi Province netizen cnqmy:
“I support the freeze. China has money for huge events like the Olympics and all kinds of international conferences. How would there be no money for medical insurance? China should act like the powerful country it is and give the money to African countries. That way it would be safe from embezzlement by domestic officials.”

“I agree. If every government official in China would just eat one less meal every year, the country would save way more that that 100 million.”
Like (1,861)

May 29, 2011 06:24 Fujian Province netizen “huang353400”:
“China is rolling in money and obviously doesn’t need this so-called “Global Fund.” Even if the country received it, it’d just be spent on drinking Maitai liquor and eating extravagant meals. We should give it to people who need it.”
Like (1,785)

May 29, 2011 06:45 New Pudong District, Shanghai netizen “Ink Plougher”:
“Even the foreigners know what’s going on.”
Like (1,273)

May 29, 2011 07:00 Fujian Province netizen “wangyan yuchuan wodezhu”:
Original post: 2011-05-29 06:23 Hongkou District, Shanghai netizen “Dragon Ghost”
“All social organizations are just subsidiary agencies.”

“It’s no subsidiary agency; they’re all in it together. They’re in charge so they’ll spend the money however they like. We’d never have any idea how much they spent.”
Like (1,113)

May 29, 2011 06:43 Nanjing, Jiangsu Province netizen “yuan44”:
“It would all go straight to officials’ pockets. I’m for the freeze.”
Like (1,034)

May 29, 2011 07:01 Dongying, Shandong netizen “Just kidding you”:
“You corrupt officials even used Sichuan disaster relief funds for building real estate developments. You can spend over 10,000 RMB at a single meal. You’re all shamelessly dragging the secrets of your crimes to the grave, and even those of you who admit them find loopholes to get out of trouble. Some “social” organization! You guys go ahead and keep “socializing”, your organization just demands you to eat, drink and pocket other people’s money away. You’re allowed to do anything with it except spend it on AIDS and tuberculosis projects. Just wait. Keep eating, drinking, weaseling and embezzling away. Keep up your corruption. But the day you can’t cover it up anymore, the masses will be there to take out the trash.”
Like (1,539)

May 29, 2011 06:44 American netizen “Shazida”:
“Even foreigners know what happens to all the relief funds that come into China.”
Like (827)

May 29, 2011 06:52 Wuhan, Hubei Province netizen “zhchsh”:
“In China, many policies aren’t implemented and government agency funds have a tendency to end up in the pockets of people in charge. This organization’s “worries” make a lot of sense.”
Like (778)

May 29, 2011 06:44 Beijing netizen “drpanyan001”:
“China can really earn money, and it’s even better at scheming money.”
Like (656)

May 29, 2011 06:23 Hongkou District, Shanghai netizen “dragon ghost 666”:
“All social organizations are subordinate to the party.”
Like (305)

May 29, 2011 06:45 Baotou, Inner Mongolia netizen “liehin”:
“I support the freeze.”
Like (503)

May 29, 2011 06:33 Japanese netizen “fjfqlin”:
“They all know it, too.”
Like (387)

May 29, 2011 06:26 Hongqiao District, Tianjin netizen “Advocate Democracy”:
“Shout: ‘May you live 10,000 years Global Fund!’ Then they’d totally unfreeze it.”

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Keywords: Netizens reactions to global fund freeze Global fund freezes Chinese funds Global fund freeze on China money Chinese react to global fund freeze