Will KangAi Commune Be Shut Down?

Speaking for myself, I run KangAi Commune because of my own family's experience of being short of money when someone fell seriously ill; I want to help more people solve real problems in their lives, and whether or not it makes money, I will persist in pursuing the goal of a sustainably operated Century Commune. My team also believes in KangAi Commune's ideals and is working hard toward that goal.

But individuals and teams cannot in the end stand against the broader environment and the broader trend.

KangAi Commune appeared in 2011; in 2017 we formed a team and began formal operations. At that time China was vigorously promoting innovation and entrepreneurship; new models were emerging one after another, enthusiasm for innovation and entrepreneurship was at an all-time high, KangAi Commune attracted attention and recognition from many quarters, and we won several major awards in internet, innovation and public-interest categories. I felt there was abundant possibility. But today, as the innovation and entrepreneurship boom fades and the economic environment cools, I personally sense that the outside world and society have less tolerance for innovative models, and there are restrictions whose rationale is hard to fathom. In short, uncertainty from outside has grown to an unprecedented degree. I am increasingly unsure which policy from which department, or which key partner company (WeChat, a charitable foundation, a bank) terminating which cooperation, might make it impossible for KangAi Commune to keep operating.

So if someone asks today whether KangAi Commune will be shut down, my answer is: we will not shut it down of our own accord, but it is indeed possible that it will be shut down.

Online mutual aid has already had an impact in many fields, has been widely discussed in society, and has in fact become a viable model of protection. The General Office of the State Council's Opinions on Improving the Medical Insurance and Assistance System for Major and Critical Diseases proposes "encouraging the development of medical mutual aid, supporting employee medical mutual aid, regulating mutual aid on internet platforms, strengthening risk control, and guiding the healthy development of medical mutual aid." The Medical Security Law is also out for public comment. I look forward to more explicit support, so that we can pursue a Century Commune with confidence and contribute our modest part to social protection.