Links that Make you Go Hmm for the Week Ending July 15

“Happy Chat Rooms” offer psych services: A free service out of Guangzhou provides free psychological consultations online, through phone calls, and in person. "In this transitional period in society, people are under unprecedented psychological pressure,” Chen Jun, director of the Applied Psychology Department of the South China Normal University, told China Daily.

Bill and Baidu Tackle Smoking in China: Bill Gates and Robin Li, founder of Chinese search engine Baidu, announced a partnership to take on smoking in China last week. In a country where smoking is a national habit, Baidu has boldly banned smoking on the company’s entire premises; however CFO Jennifer Li (no relation to Robin) is on the Phillip Morris’ international board. Yikes.

Compulsory Education for Disabled Children: In the next five years, China will extend its compulsory education to disabled children. China has made great strides to provide children with nine years of school, but a lack of resources and understanding of the needs of disabled children has meant some of them are locked out of the system. The new plan will eventually provide disabled children with 12 years of free education.

More Problems for China’s Red Cross: (In case you’ve missed it) the Red Cross Society of China faces another round of criticism as more allegations of overspending and misuse of funds arise, in addition to the recent outcry over a lavish feast hosted by the organization. A survey finds that the Chinese public is increasingly distrustful of country’s largest and most visible charity.

Do More Than Give: A new book published in March titled Do More Than Give: The six practices of donors who change the world by Leslie R. Crutchfield, John V. Kania and Mark R. Kramer illustrates a ‘catalytic’ approach to philanthropy. The book aims to “to highlight effective problem-solving philanthropy and to provide a roadmap for all donors who aspire to maximize the impact of their charitable resources.” For more info see Philanthropy UK’s review.

Discrimination Faced by People with HIV: A report from UNAID finds that Chinese living with HIV face significant discrimination in the workplace, with medical professionals, and other areas of the public sphere. Nearly 50 percent of people received support from their families.