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China HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Chronology 1985
29 November 1985
The Guangming Daily reported that the central
government should ban homosexuality, require blood tests for all foreigners and ban the importation of all blood
products in China except for limited amounts of plasma globulin. The recommendations were made to stop AIDS from
entering China.
––"China Calls for Sexual Restraint to Prevent AIDS," Associated Press, 2 December
1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 December
1985,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1986
25 August 1986
Citing that the old laws are no long adequate
under the "Opening Up Policy," the Chinese government is expected to pass a law requiring all foreigners who plan to
stay within China for six months or more, to undergo medical exams for HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.
"It is intended to prevent infectious diseases from spreading both inside and outside China from seaports, airports,
and exit and entry stations along borders," reported China Daily.
––"China Preparing Quarantine Law Aimed at AIDS," United Press International, 25
August 1986; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 August 1986, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 20 October 1986
China’s Heath Ministry announced it is creating China’s first AIDS prevention team. Xinhua reported that the ministry
will establish a “team of 13 medical experts on virology, epidemiology and the combination of Western and traditional
Chinese medicine to monitor worldwide AIDS developments and prevent the disease in China.”
––“China
sets up AIDS Prevention Team,” United Press International, 20 October 1986; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20
October 1986, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1987
19 March 1987
The city of Shenzhen has established a
monitoring station for the prevention and control of venereal diseases, one of ten set up around China. Tourism is seen
as a potential method of entry for venereal diseases and AIDS. According to China News, "with the development of
tourism in our country, the sources of contagion by venereal diseases brought into China by foreign visitors are
increasing."
––"Unit to Monitor Venereal Disease Set up in
Shenzhen; Fear of AIDS via Tourism," BBC, 19 March 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 March 1987,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 2 May 1987
China's Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that all foreigners who intend on living in China for a
year or more are required to obtain a physician's certificate showing that they are HIV negative. China began
testing some students and foreign businessmen last year.
––Daniel Southerland, "China Starts AIDS Tests for Foreign Residents," Washington Post, 2 May 1987, p. A3;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 May 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 4 May 1987
Under China's new Frontier Health and
Quarantine Law, Shanghai has set up monitoring stations in "hotels, restaurants and tourist and medical facilities to
offer physical check-ups, blood tests and 'other tests necessary to isolate AIDS,'" Xinhua reported. Out of
900,000 people that passed through Shanghai last year, health officials found about 100 cases of infectious diseases.
The official added, "to date we have found no AIDS carriers entering the city."
––"Shanghai sets up
Stations to Check Visitors for AIDS," United Press International, 4 May 1987;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 May 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
27 September 1987
Although China has implemented measures to control the
spread of HIV/AIDS in China, medical experts said it is necessary for China to "strengthen popular education about
AIDS, seriously carry out prevention measures and establish a system for checking the spread of AIDS," reported the
Beijing Review. The article said to date China has adopted several regulations and measures to fight AIDS:
- publicize knowledge about AIDS, including methods of transmission and
symptoms;
- forbid any AIDS carrier from entering China;
- require all foreigners who plan to stay in China to prove by medical
exam they are HIV-negative;
- ban the import of blood or blood products, and second-hand clothing;
- forbid sexual contact with foreigners;
- require all medical departments to dispose of any medical equipment and
medical devices used on foreign patients.
Chinese medical experts believe the spread of AIDS will be limited in China
because homosexuality, promiscuity, and drug abuse are illegal and not tolerated in Chinese society.
––"China Makes Efforts to Prevent AIDS," Xinhua, 27 September 1987;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 27 September 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 29 September 1987
Ministry of Health (MOH) officials
announced they plan to enforce Article 30 of the Regulations on Public Order to prevent the spread of AIDS in China.
Article 30 states, "Prostitution, whoring following an introduction, abetting prostitution, and whoring are strictly
forbidden and offenders face a maximum 15 days detention, a warning, re-education and a maximum fine of 5,000 yuan
(1,350 USD)."
––Jane McCartney, "Chinese Authorities Ban
Sex with Foreigners to Stop AIDS," United Press International, 29 September 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29
September 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1988
14 January 1988
While announcing
the release of "Several Regulations on the Detection and Control of AIDS," He Jiesheng, Vice-Minister of Health,
remarked that following the Opening Up Policy and expanding contacts with foreigners, China is open to the possibility
of an AIDS epidemic. China began testing for HIV in 1984, and to date only three HIV/AIDS cases have been discovered in
China, two were tourists and one was an overseas Chinese. In testing foreigners who planned to live in China for over a
year, seven were found to have HIV/AIDS and were sent home. In testing of imported blood products, four Chinese
nationals were found to be HIV-positive. The "Several Regulations on the Detection and Control of AIDS" is China's
first national set of regulations on the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. "It defines in detail those to be tested;
implementation plans for AIDS detection, control and prevention; and how to report on AIDS epidemic and its control,"
Xinhua reported. The new regulations state:
- All people entering China must fill out a health questionnaire;
- People intending to live one year or more must provide an approved AIDS
test;
- Chinese nationals who have lived abroad for more than one year must be
tested upon return to China; and
- No one is permitted to import blood, blood products, organisms and
animals possibly contaminated with the AIDS virus.
He Jiesheng, Vice Minister of China’s Health Ministry said, “These regulations
are China’s first designed to prevent an AIDS epidemic.”
––"Prevention of AIDS is Important Because of Open Policy," Xinhua, 14 January 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe,
20 January 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com;
––“China Issues Regulations on AIDS,” Xinhua, 14 January 1988; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 January 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
29 January 1988
Zeng Yi, Vice
President of the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medical Sciences called for the suppression of prostitution and
introducing regular blood testing to protect China from the AIDS epidemic. Zeng said AIDS entered China through
two channels: one channel was through contaminated bloods products, and the second is through casual sex with the
increasing numbers of foreigners entering China. Since China has banned imported blood products, the "most likely way
of contracting the acquired immune deficiency syndrome is through casual behavior, according to Zeng Yi," reported
Xinhua. The high cost associated with wide-spread blood testing has been dramatically reduced when China
produced its own HIV antigen used in testing for HIV exposure. China has also set up a nationwide network to supervise
the spread of the disease, and to establish contacts with HIV/AIDS experts in France, Germany, Japan and the United
States.
––“China Steps Up Anti-AIDS Measures," Xinhua, 29
January 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 January 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
15 March 1988
Couples in Shanghai will need to pass physical exams to
receive a marriage license from the local government. Sources say the exam will include an HIV/AIDS test, as well as
for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
––"Shanghai to
require Marriage-Minded to Pass Physical Exams," Ashai News Service (Japan), 15 March 1988;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 15 March 1988,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 28 May 1988
China has established the first non-governmental AIDS foundation to “raise funds for
research and prevention.” The AIDS Research Foundation of China (ARFC) will be directed by Chen Chunming, President of
the Chinese Academy of Preventative Medicine. Only three confirmed AIDS related deaths have been reported in China: an
Argentine tourist, a Chinese man who spent time in the United States, and a 13 year-old hemophiliac boy who was
“infected by a blood product imported from the United States.” The ARFC will be based in Beijing and will also hold
academic meetings, train medical technicians and promote exchanges of information with researchers from around the
world. A branch office will also be set up in Hong Kong to coordinate overseas relations and fund-raising activities.
––“China Established AIDS Foundation,” Associated Press, 28 May 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 28 May 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "AIDS Research
Foundation Set up in China," Xinhua, 28 May 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 May 1988,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 31
May 1988
China has established the
National Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province,
with a total of 16 surveillance stations set up around China under its control, reported China Daily.
Also, China has established HIV/AIDS surveillance stations in eight major Chinese cities. To date 26,000 HIV tests have
been carried out since 1984.
––"China Acts Up to Crackdown
on Sexually Transmitted Diseases," Xinhua, 31 May 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 May 1988,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 6 December 1988
An AIDS
monitoring center has been set up in Wuhan, Hubei province and has begun testing throughout the province. Last October,
Wuhan discovered its first HIV/AIDS case, a foreign student.
––"AIDS Monitoring Network Set Up in Hubei Province," Xinhua, 6 December 1988; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 December 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
27 December 1988
Members of the National People's Congress (NPC) called for an early enactment of China's draft law on prevention of
infectious diseases. According to the law, infectious diseases are placed into three categories calling for varying
degrees of restrictions. Diseases such as the plague and cholera are listed in the first category and are the most
restrictive. HIV/AIDS is placed in the second group along with hepatitis and syphillis. This decision was based on the
fact that "no full-fledged AIDS cases have been discovered among Chinese mainlanders and that AIDS is not easily
transmitted and spreads relatively slowly," said health Minister Chen Minzhang. NPC member Yang Lieyu suggested
that more emphasis should be placed on health education in preventing AIDS.
––"Stricter Monitoring of AIDS Urged," Xinhua, 27 December 1988; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 27 December 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1989
22 February 1989
Sun Xinhua of the Ministry of Public Health (MOH) announced
a new law that authorizes health officials to test any Chinese citizen deemed at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
MOH officials have already begun testing Chinese citizens in Beijing, Shanghai, Canton and other major cities whose job
brings them in close contact with foreigners. Sun said that under the new law, "if local authorities want someone
tested, he must be tested. He has no right to refuse." He added, "If any Chinese is found to be an AIDS sufferer,
he will be quarantined and will not be allowed to continue working or going to school." To date China has
emphasized creating barriers to the AIDS virus, rather than testing its own people. The new law also covers 34
other infectious diseases including the plague and cholera.
––Kathy Wilhem, "Law Gives China Broad AIDS-Testing Authority," Associated Press, 22
February 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 February 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 25 February 1989
Cao Qing, head of China's AIDS
Prevention team announced that China will soon set up an AIDS Research Center which will study the use of traditional
Chinese Medicine in the treatment of AIDS. Official statistics show only 22 people have been found to have the
AIDS virus, of which only four were Chinese nationals and one has died.
––"China to Establish 'Traditional Medicine' AIDS Research Center," Xinhua, 25
February 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 February 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 31 March 1989
China's first films
dealing with AIDS have been playing to full houses in Shenyang city. Many schools, factories and government offices
have rented the movies to show to their students and employees. The two films, one a popular science film named "AIDS,"
has been advertised under the Chinese characters for "Super Caner." The other a feature film named the "AIDS Patients,"
has been advertised as "Pornographic Pestilence." The feature film shows the destinies of three young Chinese
AIDS victims after they have sexual relations with a foreign teacher.
––"'Controversial' AIDS Film Fills Cinemas," Xinhua, 31 March 1989; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 31 March 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1990
3 January 1990
Chinese officials
have reported that they will increase their surveillance of China's high-risk groups, including drug addicts, reported
Heath News. Over the past few years, Chinese health authorities have monitored over 148,000 people, including
Chinese who have returned from abroad, venereal disease patients, blood donors, foreigners, homosexuals, prostitutes
and their clients.
––"Risk Groups to be Eyes for AIDS," Xinhua, 3 January 1990; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 3 January 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 10 February 1990
Speaking at a round-table on AIDS prevention, Zhen Xiwen, Vice-President of the
Chinese Academy of Preventative Medical Science said an AIDS epidemic falls into three stages: 1) the infection of the
virus; 2) the spreading of the virus; and 3) the disaster caused by the disease to the economy, culture and the society
as a whole by the virus. Experts at the meeting gave several recommendations:
Since HIV/AIDS is primarily transmitted through
blood, the central government should establish a nation-wide monitoring agency as soon as possible, and each
blood donor should be carefully examined. The central government should pass laws and
regulations on the prevention of AIDS. Since it is not possible to have all medical
facilities convert to disposable syringes, medical personnel should trained on proper sterilization techniques.
Education and awareness should be provided to
eliminate drug addiction and abnormal sex behavior, such as homosexuality.
––"Specialists Call for Control of AIDS at Early
Stage," Xinhua, 10 February 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 February 1990,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1 March 1990
Dai Zhicheng, Director of Epidemic Prevention at the Ministry of Public Health announced the formation of the
National AIDS Committee (NAC). Headed by Vice-Minister of Public Health He Jiesheng, the NAC will be responsible for
drafting China's policies and plans for AIDS prevention and control and to control various activities in this effort.
China listed AIDS as one of its infectious diseases in 1986, and in 1987 it formulated its National Program on AIDS
Prevention. According to health officials, 50 HIV test facilities have been set up throughout China, and two
confirmatory test labs have been established in Beijing and China. Together, this forms China's national AIDS
monitoring and reporting network. Chinese health
officials and the World Health Organization (WHO) have drafted China's first National Plan to Prevent and Control AIDS
over the next three years. The medium and long term objectives and strategies include "professional training and
surveillance on and research into the disease. Efforts will be made to five priorities to prevention of AIDS
transmission through sex, blood and prenatal care, as well as to increase surveillance of high-risk groups and promote
education and awareness."
––"China Sets Up National AIDS Committee," Xinhua, 1 March 1990;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 March 1990,
http://www.lexisnexis.com; "China Drafting three-year Plan to Combat AIDS," Xinhua, 1 March 1990; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 1 March 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 16 November 1990
Earlier this year, over
200,000 visitors attended an exhibition in Beijing on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) hosted by the Beijing
Municipal Health Education Institute (BMHEI). Shan Guangnai, Deputy Research Fellow with the sociological institute of
the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said, "The best defense against AIDS is information. Only after people
fully understand the seriousness of the disease can they do their utmost to protect themselves and others."
––"Prevention, Still Only Cure for AIDS," Xinhua, 16 November 1990;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 November 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
29 November 1990
The following
interview was broadcasted on China Central Television (CCTV): A narrator started by saying ''AIDS was introduced
into our country in the early 1980s. In recent years, the disease has become widespread to a relatively serious extent,
and has become a severe epidemic in certain localities.'' Then followed an interview with the Public Health Minister
Chen Minzhang. [Full Text]
––“Health
Officials on Measure to Control the Spread of AIDS,” China Central Television, 29 November 1990; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 29 November 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1991
22 July 1991
At a national seminar on AIDS prevention and control in Kunming, Yunnan, the Ministry of Health
(MOH) said along with increasing international contacts and the development of tourism, China is faced with a growing
threat of AIDS. Since 1985, China has confirmed 493 HIV cases, of which five had developed AIDS. Statistics show that
blood transfusion and sexual activities are the main methods of HIV transmission, however, no case of mother-to-infant
transmission has been recorded. Since China reported its first HIV/AIDS case, it has taken the following steps to
prevent AIDS in China:
1986 - The Ministry of Public Heath established
the AIDS Prevention and Control Group. Shortly thereafter, the Group set up a series of programs related
to awareness, education and testing, as well as professional training and development. 1989 - China passed the "Law to Prevent and
Control Infectious Diseases," which AIDS, syphilis and gonorrhea were labeled as second grade infections. 1990 - China established the National AIDS
Prevention and Control Commission along with a expert committee to guide and supervise the nation wide campaign
against AIDS.
A official from the World Health Organization (WHO) stated,
"China has an excellent county-town-village epidemic prevention system in rural areas, and that this factor will be of
great importance in curbing the spread of the AIDS virus," reported Xinhua.
––“China Sets Up to Fight AIDS," Xinhua, 22 July 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 22 July 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 20 November 1991
Over 50 doctors,
counselors, scholars and social workers from over 30 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, universities and
other units attended a training program on AIDS counseling hosted by the Beijing-based National Health Education
Institute (NHEI) and co-sponsored by the Ministry of Public Health (MOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The
first of its kind in China, the program trained the participants to become experts in AIDS counseling and treatment in
their local facilities and institutions. "Counseling is a good and useful way to provide people with correct
information and knowledge about AIDS and to make them aware of the ways of HIV transmission," said Wan Yanhai, an
assistant researcher from the NHEI.
––“Educate China to
Fight AIDS," Xinhua, 20 November 1991; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 20 November 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 30 November 1991
China Daily reported the
opening of Beijing first AIDS counseling center located in You'an Hospital. Yang Guanglu, a member for the Counseling
Committee on Venereal Diseases with the Ministry of Public Health (MOH) and the Center's administrator, said the clinic
aims to help provide accurate information about AIDS through literature and counseling on its transmission, symptoms
and prevention. "Our first task is to provide information about AIDS," Yang said. The Clinic will also offer
testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. He added the names, address and medical
records will remain strictly confidential. "If an AIDS-infected person comes in, I will treat him myself," Yang
acknowledged. "But if I couldn't do enough alone, I would have to study the case with doctors in the big
hospitals in Beijing." The clinic currently has two beds designated for AIDS patients. Yang added, "Its
impossible that we would have a large number of AIDS patients in a year or two." In Beijing, with 11 million residents,
"the risk of infection is miniscule compared with large Western cities," he said.
––""Beijing Sets up AIDS Clinic," Xinhua, 30 November 1991;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 November 1991,
http://www.lexisnexis.com; Pascale Trouillaud, "First AIDS Clinic Opens in Beijing," United Press International, 3
December 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 December 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1992
9 April 1992
China's Health Education Institute announced the
opening of an AIDS hotline in Beijing. They confirmed that all callers will be able to remain anonymous.
––"Beijing Opens 'AIDS Hotline,'" Xinhua, 9 April 1992;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 April 1992,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 15 April 1992
The Hainan Provincial AIDS Control Association was established in Haikou today. Hainan province has one of China's
13 monitory centers, with five monitoring spots on the island. To date no cases of HIV have been reported, but two
people were confirmed to have HIV after returning from aboard.
––"AIDS Control Association Established in Hainan," Xinhua, 15 April 1992;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 15 April 1992,,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 23 November
1992
The National Health Education Institute's "AIDS Hotline" sponsored China's first AIDS awareness conference
for gay men in an attempt to educated Beijing's gay population about HIV/AIDS. The conference was advertised throughout
Beijing's gay meeting areas, but only 30 people showed up. China reports around 900 HIV carriers.
––Geoffrey Crothall, "Beijing Hosts China's First AIDS Summit for
Gays," South China Morning Post, 23 November 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 November 1992,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1993
10 February 1993
The China National Health Education Institute, under
the Ministry of Public Health, “has mapped out a national plan to motivate gay men to play an active role in the
prevention of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS),” reports the English language China Daily. AIDS
coordinator Wan Yanhai said “homosexuals’ role in spreading the disease should not be underestimated, although the main
vector in China was drug addicts sharing contaminated needles.” The two year plan will begin in Beijing (north),
Shanghai (east), and Guangdong (south), and will create counseling centers, special telephone hotlines, research on
gays in Chinese society, and provide 10,000 free packets of condoms a year in the three cities. Government statistics
show some 1,000 people in China carry the AIDS virus. A recent health institute survey in Shanghai, China's most
populated city, showed that of 96 homosexuals tested, 24 have a form of venereal disease (VD).
––“China’s Homosexuals Urged to Come out of Closet, Help with AIDS Education,” Agence France Presse, 10 February 1993;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 February 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1 March 1993
Shanghai opened up an AIDS consultation hotline to provide information on AIDS for local residents, and will be manned
by health educators, students from medical universities, and psychological experts. The hotline is sponsored by
Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., and supervised by the Shanghai Health Education Station. As of the end of 1992,
923 people tested positive for the AIDS virus in China.
––“Shanghai Sets up AIDS Hotline,” Xinhua,
1 March 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 February 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 9 March 1993
Last month, Beijing’s first sex counseling center opened. Named the Adam and Eve Hygiene Center, it will sell
contraceptives and offer limited out-patient services. Wen Jingfeng, who opened the center, said the center’s aim
is to increase the knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and help Beijing residents to overcome the
“cultural fallacies” about sexual behavior. A recent survey among 1,000 Beijing taxi drivers and hotel workers revealed
very few knew how AIDS was spread. “Many did not know people could get infected through blood transfusions and
intravenous injections, or that the use of condoms could help prevent AIDS.” Another study among Beijing
residents showed many people still believe AIDS was “something foreign and they were safe as long as they did not have
contacts with foreigners.” Chinese research agencies are currently gathering data on Chinese sexual practices --
including knowledge about AIDS and other STDs – to be used in future AIDS awareness campaigns.
––Rajiv Chandra, “Talking about Sex to Fight AIDS,” Inter Press Service (New Delhi), 9 March 1993, in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 9 March 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 13 April 1993
Zhang Shibo, Chief of Liaoning Province Epidemic
Control and Prevention Stations reported that a 24 hour AIDS and venereal disease hotline has opened in the capital of
Liaoning Province. Shibo said the province has recorded up 10,000 cases of VD, and three have tested positive for HIV (
one Chinese and two foreigners).
––"Venereal Diseases
Hotline Opened in Liaoning," Xinhua, 13 April 1993; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 April 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 24 July 1993
The Hong Kong AIDS Foundation and the government AIDS hotline have reported
receiving calls from mainland China. "We actually get a lot of calls from across the Chinese border, mainly from
Shenzhen and Guangzhou," said Mike Sinclair, Hong Kong AIDS Foundation Education Officer. Sinclair believes mainland
Chinese have been calling the hotline because they "worry about confidentiality of hotlines" on the mainland, and fear
"that any discovery that they were infected with HIV would effect their employment."
––Susie Weldon, "Cautious Mainlanders Dial Local AIDS Hotlines," South China
Morning Post, 24 June 1993, p. 4; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 13 April 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 15 August 1993
The Director of the National Health Education Institute, Chen Bingzhong, is fired
because of "allegedly using the AIDS issue to promote gay rights." Chin and Wan Yanhai established Beijing's first AIDS
hotline and established a gay men support group called Men's World Club. According to Chin and Wan, "the most effective
way to combat AIDS is by changing people's behavior and encouraging safer sex," partially among China's high risk
groups. However, both groups were seen by their colleagues and Beijing's gay community as "unnecessarily
confrontational and combative." The Chinese government believes the majority of Chinese infected with the AIDS virus
are social deviants, therefore, "the threat of the disease being sexually transmitted is much reduced." Beijing views
AIDS as a medical issue and not a political or civil rights issue as it has become in the West. In China's view,
"making AIDS a political and civil rights issue, as gay rights groups have done in the West, has prevented the
authorities from taking effective action to curb the epidemic." Official statistics show that only two of China's
confirmed HIV cases are homosexuals.
––Geoffrey Crothall,
"Health Official's Sacking Signals Beijing's Attitude to Homosexual Rights," South China Morning Post, p. 8; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 15 August 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com; Rajiv Chandra,
"China: No Sex Please, We're Chinese," Inter Press Service (New Delhi), 17 September 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 17 September 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 23 September 1993
China will open its first AIDS hospital in Ruili
City, Yunnan Province by the end of the year. The Chinese government has decided to place the hospital in Yunnan
province because Yunnan has the largest number of HIV cases in China, and Ruili City the largest number of HIV cases in
Yunnan. To date, China has 1,106 confirmed HIV cases, 850 of whom are located in Yunnan, and Ruili City has 425
confirmed HIV carriers. Yunnan province has four confirmed AIDS patients, three of which have already died. Zhao
Shangde, a member of China AIDS Experts Commission, stated the hospital will hold a total of 50 beds, but might find it
difficult to staff. Zhao added that "mainland medical personnel are generally afraid of AIDS; the hospital will
probably find it difficult to find sufficient medical personnel at the outset."
––"China's First AIDS Hospital to be Built in Yunnan," Ming Pao (Hong Kong),
23 September 1993, p. 14; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 November 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1994
13 January 1994
In an attempt to
curb the rise of HIV infections, the Chinese government set up quarantine stations at the country’s international
airports. Officials will conduct on-the-spot blood tests to Chinese nationals who have lived outside China for
more than six months. Foreigners who are planning to reside in China are required to have an HIV test after arriving.
China Daily reported that quarantine stations detected 71 HIV carriers, and 300 people carrying sexually
transmitted diseases were also detected in 1993. A total of 60,000 people were carrying infectious diseases,
including malaria, tuberculosis and cholera.
––“China Detects 71 HIV Carriers in Tests at Arrival Ports,” Kyodo
News Service (Tokyo), 13 January 1994; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 13 January 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 2 February 1994
China’s Science and Technology Daily reported the AIDS hotline in Kunming, Yunnan has shut down because of
financial problems. Originally established by volunteer medical students and concerned personnel a year ago, the
hotline was located in China’s highest HIV region. The hotline director Wang Jing, said, “We have offered to sell the
hotline to enterprises who have a public consciousness and who are keen on public affairs. It is possible, after it
becomes an enterprise-run hotline; it can continue to offer services to those people needing help.” In the first
half of last year, 219 people called the hotline before financial problems beset the hotline. Currently, China has
10,000 Chinese infected with the AIDS virus, while ten have developed full-blown AIDS; 10 people have died.
––“China AIDS Hotline Goes Broke,” United Press International, 2 February 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 2 February 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 31 August 1994
The Ministry of Public Health announced an AIDS educational program “aimed at enhancing the awareness of the general
public of the importance of preventing AIDS.” Funded by the Wellcome Pharmaceutical Corporation of Britain, this
program will provide education for medical workers and AIDS patients, as well as the general public.”
––“AIDS Education Program Drawn Up,” Xinhua, 31 August 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 August
1994,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 19 September
1994
The Chinese magazine Outlook Weekly reports the central
government will begin to increase the general public’s awareness about HIV/AIDS. They will achieve this goal by
"strengthening the organizational leadership," "launch publicity programs, increasing funds for study and prevention of
AIDS, expanding international co-operation and issue policies and laws to control AIDS." Lack of education about AIDS
is seen as the biggest obstacle to containing the spread of AIDS in China. Public health workers in several cities have
reported “that while most people have heard of AIDS, few knew how to avoid becoming infected with the virus that causes
it.” A common belief says, “Many people think that if you don’t visit prostitutes, you can’t get the disease. And some
prostitutes believe that if you don’t have contact with foreigners, you can’t get AIDS.”
According to the magazine, China now has 1,361 documented HIV cases, of which 255
are foreigners or overseas Chinese. HIV/AIDS has now been reported in 22 provinces and municipalities, including
Beijing, Shanghai, Yunnan, Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang. Yunnan has 80 percent of China's HIV/AIDS cases. The report
warns AIDS cases in China “could exceed 253,000 by year 2000 without more preventive measures.” Chinese health officials predict a rise in China AIDS cases
because of the overall increase of the disease internationally, especially in neighboring countries; China's
growing “floating population” from rural to urban and from interior to coastal areas and among cities; the lack of
knowledge about AIDS prevention in the general population; and the increase of drug addiction and prostitution.
Estimated treatment cost is between 3,300 yuan and 7,400 yuan, “about one half of the average annual family income.”
––“China Strives to Control AIDS,” Xinhua, 19 September 1994;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 19 September 1994,
http://www.lexisnexis.com; Elaine Kurtenback, “China to Do More to Warn Public about AIDS,” Associated Press, 21
September 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 September 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com 14 November 1994
Tian Yongbo of the Shanghai Health Education Institute disclosed that China’s State
Education Commission “is planning to introduce an AIDS prevention and treatment course in colleges to educate college
students on the AIDS disease” next year. Nation-wide there are more than 1,400 people infected with HIV, of whom 40
have developed into AIDS. Some 51 percent of HIV carriers are between 20 and 29 years old. In Shanghai, 18 people
have been identified carrying the AIDS virus. 80 percent of them are between 18 and 45 years old, and more than 50
percent are between 20 and 29 years old.
––“Colleges to Introduce AIDS Education Courses,” Zhongguo
Tongxun News Agency (Hong Kong), 14 November 1994, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 December 1994,
http://www.lexsnexis.com. 1 December 1994
About 15 independent AIDS campaigners marked World AIDS Day by disseminating some
1,500 pamphlets entitled “Know About AIDS” in Beijing’s Wangfujing shopping district and nearby Dongdan Park. In
the upscale Wangfujing shopping district many shoppers would not accept the pamphlets or dropped them in the street.
An anonymous activist stated, “A lot of people aren’t willing to be seen accepting material on something like AIDS in
the street – it’s not the sort of thing an upstanding citizen should show interest in. They don’t think it had anything
to do with them.” In contrast, at Dongdan Park, an evening gathering spot for Beijing’s homosexual community, many
people showed interest. After examining the material, some also approached the activists with questions.
––“Chinese Campaigners Target Shoppers on World AIDS Day,” Agence France Presse, 1 December 1994; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1994, http://www.lexsnexis.com. 1 December 1994
Marking World AIDS Day, all Beijing’s major hospitals set up information services to answer questions about AIDS. Also,
several municipal departments have been conducting a sexual awareness program in Zhongshan Park, next to Tiananmen
Square, which has attracted thousands of visitors. Beijing TV also broadcasted program on “AIDS and the Family.”
––“Beijing Marks World AIDS Day; Statistics Update,” Xinhua, 1 December 1994, in Lexis-Nexus Academic
Universe, 3 December 1994, http://www.lexsnexis.com. 4 December 1994
Guangdong Province healthcare department announced it will establish an AIDS control center. The center will be
responsible for the enhanced supervision of drug abusers, underground prostitution and venereal disease carriers. An
AIDS hotline will also be set up. Guangdong reported its first AIDS case in 1986. Currently, there are 95 confirmed HIV
carriers, including 30 foreigners or overseas Chinese and 48 Guangdong residents.
––“Guangdong
to Set up AIDS Control Center,” Xinhua, 4 December 1994, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 December 1994,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1995
28 March 1995
Beijing will open its second AIDS hotline because of
the increased number of callers who want information on AIDS. China currently has 1,550 documented cases of HIV.
––“Beijing Opens Second AIDS Hotline," United Press International, 28 March 1995; in Lexis-Nexus
Academic Universe, 3 December 1994, http://www.lexsnexis.com. 14 April 1995
Five Beijing newspapers ran a HIV/AIDS
prevention contest sponsored by the China Association of STD/AIDS Prevention and Control and the Ministry of Public
Health. The contest received more than 60,000 completed questionnaires, of which 1,100 carried correct answers to
all the questions. The contest was aimed at promoting HIV/AIDS awareness.
––“Beijing Press Run
Competition to Promote Knowledge of AIDS Prevention, Control," Xinhua, 14 April 1995; in Lexis-Nexus Academic Universe,
14 April 1995, http://www.lexsnexis.com. 11 August 1995
The State Education Commission (SEC)
announced it will require all 2.40 million incoming college and university students to take a HIV/AIDS prevention
course. The reported stated, "It is an urgent task to promote knowledge about sex, although college and
university students are not the affected group of people by AIDS." The course will cover how HIV is spread and ways to
prevent its transmission. Among those infected with HIV/AIDS in China, 0.62 percent are below the age of 15; 8.62
percent are between the ages of 16 to 19; and 51.69 percent are between 20 and 29 years old.
––"China to Conduct Education on AIDS Among College Students," Xinhua, 11 August
1995; in Lexis-Nexis. Academic Universe, 11 August 1995,
http://www.lexisnexis.com; "Shanghai to
Launch AIDS Education Among College Freshmen," Xinhua, 26 August 1995;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26 August 1995. 28 October 1995
China’s Health Ministry and State Council announced a nationwide campaign to “spread knowledge about prevention and
control of the deadly disease.” Officials report that there are 2,248 HIV patients and 77 have advanced to AIDS.
––“China to Launch Nationwide AIDS Prevention Campaign,” Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 28 October 1995; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 October 1998, http://www.lexsnexis.com. 29 November 1995
China Central Television (CCTV) broadcasted its first “series of documentaries on
AIDS.” They include interviews with a prostitute and a common Chinese person who are infected with HIV/AIDS.
––“Chinese Get Candid
Look at AIDS," The Gazette (Montreal), 29 November 1995, p. B1; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 November
1995, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1 December 1995
The city of Beijing launched a city-wide education and anti-AIDS publicity campaign to
correspond with World AIDS Day. More than 200 hundred hospitals and medical facilities have offered consultation and
distributed tens of thousands of educational materials to people. Instances of HIV infection in Beijing have
risen every year. This year 30 cases of AIDS have been discovered, of which seven are foreigners, 18 are
non-Beijingers, and five are Beijing residents. In total, the number of HIV cases found in 1993 was 23. Since 1985, 117
cases of HIV infection have been reported in Beijing, including 50 foreigners, 39 non-Beijing residents and 28 Beijing
residents. Of the 28, seven have died. According to official statistics, the STD infection rate has increased 28.76
percent over 1994.
––"Beijing City Launches AIDS
Campaigns," Xinhua, 1 December 1995; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1995,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1 December 1995
China's Jiangsu province has
established its first AIDS Hotline. Since 1986, when Jiangsu began testing for venereal diseases, 14 cases of HIV have
been recorded. Six cases were from overseas, two from other provinces, and six Jiangsu residents. Of the six local
cases, four contracted the disease in Africa, one in Thailand and one within his family.
––"Jiangsu Opens Hotline for AIDS Prevention," Xinhua, 1 December 1995; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1995,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1996
4 September 1996
Dai Zhicheng, Director of the Ministry of Health's (MOH)
Disease Control Center reported that the State Council, along with representatives from 20 departments will put
together a AIDS action plan for the next five to 10 years. Dai said the MOH plans to "upgrade laboratory testing
techniques and carry out extensive publicity to increase public awareness of the risks." Only half of China's 30
provinces and autonomous regions have the technical capabilities to test for the AIDS virus, reported China Daily.
In October a national AIDS prevention conference will be held to increase the necessity of AIDS prevention and taking
"immediate and forceful actions." A nationwide program will be reviewed, including the duties of different social
sections and goals for AIDS control. This year the
Chinese government increased its national AIDS budget to 1.8 million USD, up from 602,000 USD last year. China reported
3,341 HIV cases last year. Last year saw an increase of 1,567 HIV cases, compared to an increase of only 502 cases
reported in 1994. Some 117 people have developed full-blown AIDS, of which 82 have died. MOH officials estimate there
are 10,000 HIV cases in China, but outside experts place the number at 100,000 HIV cases. The number of reported
venereal disease cases rose to 362,000 during 1995, a 18 percent increase. Yunnan province is reported to have 70
percent of China's HIV population.
––"China Attacks AIDS
Explosion," United Press International, 4 September 1996; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 September 1996,
http://www.lexisnexis.com; "More Funds to
Combat HIV/AIDS Disease," Xinhua, 4 September 1996; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 September 1996,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 18 October
1996
China plans to establish a nationwide AIDS monitoring network of 300 to 400 HIV/AIDS monitoring centers
before the year 2000. Also, a national HIV/AIDS lab will be established to organize the fight against AIDS in China. To
date China has established more than 400 AIDS screening clinics and 23 test labs in all 30 provinces and municipalities
since 1985. Three regional AIDS prevention and treatment centers have been built in Guangdong, Yunnan and
Jiangsu. Presently, China has 42 monitoring centers in cities in 23 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions.
Since 1995, monitoring has been conduced twice a year on four high-risk groups: people attending sex clinics,
prostitutes, drug addicts, and long-distance truck drivers. To date only four have tested positive for HIV out of
22,792 people tested. Many experts have advised more monitoring stations need to be set up in China's rural
areas, "which are thought to be more vulnerable to an HIV/AIDS epidemic," reported Xinhua.
––"Nationwide AIDS Monitoring Network for China," Xinhua, 18 October 1996;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 October 1996,
http://www.lexsnexis.com. 25 November 1996
Qi Guoming, Vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine announced the creation of
a National AIDS Prevention and Control Center in Beijing. The new center will conduct research on the spread of
HIV/AIDS, provide technical assistance to HIV/AIDS labs, evaluate technological applications of HIV/AIDS diagnosis,
research social behaviors, and promote publicity and education with regards to HIV/AIDS.
––"China to
Set Up AIDS Study Center," Xinhua, 25 November 1996; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 November 1996,
http://www.lexsnexis.com. 30 November 1996
The Shanxi Daily has reported the opening of Shanxi's first AIDS hotline.
––"China Opens AIDS Hotline in Northern Shanxi Province," Agence France Presse, 30 November 1996; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 30 November 1996, http://www.lexsnexis.com. 1997
14 November 1997
Guangdong providence established the Guangdong
Provincial AIDS Prevention Association in order to promote HIV/AIDS education and awareness. Since its first HIV cases
was discovered in 1986, Guangdong has reported 261 HIV cases, of which 26 developed AIDS. In the first 10
months of 1997, health officials have discovered 73 HIV cases, 36 are local residents and 29 come from outside
Guangdong province. Health officials reported some 90,000 cases of sexually transmitted diseases.
––"China: AIDS Cases Increase in Guangdong," China Daily, 14 November 1997, p. 3.
23 November 1997
Chinese Health officials will pass
out venereal disease and HIV/AIDS prevention leaflets to train passengers on the Beijing-Kowloon line. Officials
will also pass out children's health pamphlets. Videos and exhibitions will be held on the train, as well as at
stations along the route. Although the number of mother-infant transmission is low in China, the number of cases is on
the rise. China's first recorded mother-infant HIV transmission case was reported in 1995.
––"AIDS
Education Campaign Among Children," Xinhua, 23 November 1997; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 November 1997,
http://www.lexsnexis.com. 1 December 1997
Health Minister Chen Minzhang said China needs to increase AIDS education and awareness among
Chinese children. According to Chen, 10 percent of Chinese confirmed HIV cases are under the age of 18, the
majority of which contracted HIV through needle sharing. He said, "Children in our country also face the dreary
situation of HIV infections." He added, "We should give adolescents enough knowledge about AIDS prevention as early as
possible through community, school and family efforts." Zhang Xin, in charge of Hygiene and Health Education
said, "We've asked middle schools to make students aware of sex, HIV/AIDS, and STDs. Universities and colleges are also
required to improve sex ethics education. Most of the colleges and universities are doing this job, and we plan to
conduct the same activities in middle schools gradually," he said.
––"Chinese Health Officials Say Children Need HIV Protection," Xinhua, 1 December
1997; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December
1997,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 10 December 1997
Liu Kangmai, an expert with the
Chinese Academy of Preventative Medicine told a conference on HIV/AIDS in China that the mass media can play an
important role in China AIDS education and awareness drive by increasing HIV/AIDS awareness information to the public.
In a recent survey conducted in Qingdao, Shandong province, some 74 percent of people were correctly able to answer
questions about HIV/AIDS after local newspapers, TV, and radio increased their coverage of AIDS by 18 percent.
Sales of condoms increased 55 percent, and books about AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases increased 49 percent. In
the 15 provinces where China's HIV rate is the highest, media coverage reaches 80 to 100 percent of the population, Liu
said. Next year the Ministry of Health will request that national and local media broadcast AIDS prevention
programming as a public service for free.
––"Media Urged to Join AIDS Prevention Crusade in China,"
Xinhua, 10 December 1997; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 December 1997, http://www.lexsnexis.com. 11 December 1997
A recent survey conduced by a
sociological research institute under the People's University in Beijing showed some 93 percent of Chinese university
and college students know that sharing intravenous needles and having sex without condoms are methods of HIV
transmission. It also revealed 60 percent of students know HIV could be transmitted through blood transfusion, and 75
percent said they need to know more about AIDS. The survey was made among 3,000 college and university students.
Another survey conducted in Beijing, Shanghai and six other major cities found almost all students know HIV/AIDS is an
infectious disease, and only nine percent think AIDS is curable. Zhang Xin, Secretary in charge of Health Education
said, "We've asked the schools to carry out sex education more widely among students in order to prevent HIV/AIDS from
invading into the campus."
––"Surveys Show Chinese College Students Know More About HIV/AIDS,"
Xinhua, 11 December 1997; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 11 December 1997, http://www.lexsnexis.com. 14 December 1997
A survey conducted in eight major
Chinese cities showed that 80 percent of Chinese prefer giving teenagers an early education on sex. Chinese
researchers believe that China's rapid development and opening up has left the Chinese youth unprepared. "Therefore,
there is a need for giving them an early education on sex to help them build up a health awareness of sex, and avoid
sexual diseases and HIV/AIDS," reported Xinhua. A study run by the Yunnan Provincial Academy of Social Science showed
that students as young as 12 were able to make the correct choices regarding sexual health if sex education started at
an early age. Currently, sex education is only mandatory in colleges and universities. Xiao Yan, an official with the
Ministry of Health (MOH) said, "We hope that the earlier children receive an education on sex, the better."
––"Majority of Chinese Favor Early Education on Sex," Xinhua, 14 December 1997; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 14 December 1997, http://www.lexsnexis.com. 1998
9 January 1998
China reported 8,303 HIV cases by the end
of October 1997, of which 209 have developed AIDS and 119 patients have died. "The spread of HIV/AIDS entered into a
period of rapid growth, namely HIV infections resulting from sexual activity and contact with contaminated blood, as
well as infant HIV infection," said Health Minister Chen Minzhang. Ministry of Health (MOH) statistics showed 5,495
cases involved intravenous drug use, 547 cases resulted from sexual heterosexual contact, and homosexual sex and the
use of tainted blood products make up a small number. The ratio of male to female HIV victims stands at 5:1. HIV
patients in the age group between 20-39 account for 78 percent of all victims. Officials estimated there are up to
200,000 HIV cases in China, which could reach one million by 2000, and 10 million by the year 2010. "The multiple
use of needles and the growth of prostitution have emerged as two major risks raising the possibility of an outbreak of
HIV/AIDS in China," Health Officials noted. Wang Zhao, Director of
the MOH Diease Control Department listed several goals set forth in the Medium and Long Term Plan for AIDS and STD
Control in China (1997-2010):
work hard to control the epidemic level at under 1.5 million
cases during the next 12 years halt HIV transmissions through blood transfusions by 2000 control and reduce drug abuse control and reduce annual STD rates.
The plan was drafted by the State Planning Commission, the State Science and
Technology Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health.
––"China Published HIV/AIDS Figures," Xinhua, 9 January 1998;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 January 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 14 January 1998
Sun
Jiangping, Deputy Director of Beijing Medical University's Children's Health Research Institute announced Chinese
health workers will distribute information on sex and HIV/AIDS to middle school teachers starting this September.
Because of the nature of AIDS, school can play an important role in teaching young Chinese to avoid high risk behavior.
––"China Preparing AIDS Information Booklet for Young
People," Xinhua, 14 January 1998; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 14 January 1998, http://www.lexsnexis.com. 22 February 1998
The China Association for the Control
of AIDS and Sexually-Transmitted Diseases (STDs) has opened China's first 24-hour HIV/AIDS Hotline. "The
hotline's host will be a computer-controlled voice-simulator for which telephone callers only need to press buttons to
get answers," reported Xinhua. All of China's provinces and regions now have AIDS hotlines which are staffed by medical
experts. "All relevant topics maybe discussed between callers and the hotline staff, such as homosexuality, the nature
of AIDS, and how to avoid and cure STDs," said a volunteer staff member.
––"China to open First Round-the-Clock AIDS Hotline," Xinhua, 22 February 1998;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 February 1998,
http://www.lexsnexis.com. 6 May 1998
Vice-Minister of Health Sun Longchun presented awards to middle school students who wrote the best essay on
HIV/AIDS. Some 582 participants from 29 provinces and regions participated, and 155 received awards. Citing the
600 posters and essays presented, Sun said based on the entries here today, more work needs to be done on education and
awareness. "We've learned form the participant's work that a great number of youngsters still know little about
HIV/AIDS. Promoting health awareness among them is an urgent matter," Sun said. According to a 1997 survey of middle
school students, some 60 percent know nothing about the "basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS," and 21 percent about HIV
prevention. To date China has recorded 9,970 HIV cases at the end of March, of which 290 had developed AIDS, and
173 have died. "The increase in the number of HIV cases related to intravenous drug use and sexual contacts indicated a
critical HIV epidemic in China," Sun said.
––"Number of
HIV/AIDS Patients in China Continues to Rise," Xinhua, 6 May 1998;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 February 1998, http://www.lexsnexis.com. 20 May 1998
The Chinese Academy of Preventive
Medicine announced that the National Center for AIDS Prevention and Control will be established at the Academy later
this year. It will be responsible for AIDS Surveillance, epidemiological research, and the development of
vaccines and drugs. The Center will be divided into two departments, the Epidemiology Department and the National AIDS
Reference Laboratory. Wang Ke'an said, "This is a very positive gesture by the government..." The Center
will be a member of the global network of UNAIDS.
––"China
to Set Up National AIDS Control Center," Xinhua, 20 May 1998;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 May 1998, http://www.lexsnexis.com; Daniel Kwan,
"National Center for AIDS Set Up," South China Morning Post, 21 May 1998; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21
May 1998,
http://www.lexsnexis.com. 12 July 1998
According to a recent survey on female reproductive health conducted by the State Family Planning Commission, some
57 percent of women of child-bearing age "expressed knowledge of venereal diseases and sexually transmitted diseases,
with 63.5 percent expressing an awareness of AIDS." Most of the 16,000 respondents got their information from radio and
television program, as well as, family members, newspapers and magazines.
––"Chinese Women Concerned About Reproductive Health," Xinhua, 12 July 1998;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 July 1998,
http://www.lexsnexis.com. 6 November 1998
Shen Jie, an official with the Ministry of Health announced the medium and long-term program to
control HIV/AIDS will be released in about a month. The MOH also reports there are 11,170 confirmed cases of HIV, of
which 338 have developed full-blown AIDS and 184 have died. Most confirmed cases are reported to be farmers who live in
Yunnan and Henan provinces, and Xinjiang and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous regions. Some 80 percent of patients are males
between 20 and 40 years old, with 9.6 percent under the age of 20. It is reported 68 percent of HIV/AIDS victims were
infected through intravenous drug use, 7 percent through heterosexual contact and others through homosexual sex, and
the use of contaminated blood or blood products. Some have reported mother to infant transmissions. MOH officials
also report the number of STD cases at the end of 1997 to be at 461,510, a 15.8 percent increase from 1996. Cases
in the first six months of 1997 have risen 40.5 percent compared to the same period last year. Chinese officials
estimate the number of HIV cases to be at 300,000, while the United Nations (UN) believes the number stands at 400,000.
––"Long Term Program Worked Out - AIDS Spread a Major
Concern," China Daily, 6 November 1998; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 November 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com; "National
Response to AIDS Unveiled," China Daily, 2 December 1998;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 December 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 30 November
1998
China officially released its Medium and Long-term Program of AIDS
Prevention and Control (1998-2010). The plan aims to keep the number of China's HIV infections to under 1.5 million
by the year 2010. The Chinese government blames the cross-border transmission of HIV/AIDS in its southwest region where
there is a large floating population, wide-spread drug use, and prostitution, for China's AIDS problem.
––"China Announces 12-year Program of AIDS Control," Xinhua, 30
November 1998; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30
November 1998, http://www.lexsnexis.com. 1 December 1998
A recent survey of 7,425 students in
south China showed more than 50 percent did not know the three main channels of HIV infection -- blood and blood
products, sexual intercourse and mother-to-baby. More than 65 percent could believed they tell if someone is HIV
positive by their appearance, and only 10 percent would be willing to study in the same room with another student who
was infected with the AIDS virus, reported China Daily. The survey was conducted by the Children and Youth
Health Research Institute.
––"Half of China's Teenagers
Alarmingly Ignorant about AIDS: Survey," Agence France Presse, 1 December 1998;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1998,
http://www.lexsnexis.com. 2 December 1998
Since
the "peer education" program was first established in 1994 by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies, the Australian Red Cross Society and the Red Cross Society of China, it has trained more than 1,600
core members and has expanded its program originally in Yunnan province to Fujian, Jilin, and Hainan provinces, as well
as Xinjiang and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regions.
––"Peer
Education Plan for Disease," China Daily, 2 December 1998;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 December 1998, http://www.lexsnexis.com.
1999
6 January 1999
China opened its first HIV support
group in Beijing's Ditan Hospital. Supported by the United Nations, the Red Ribbon Club aims to help educate people
about HIV/AIDS and lessen discrimination and prevent misunderstanding. Lun Wenhui, a worker at the club said, "The club
plans to play a role as a bridge between AIDS patients and the rest of society, since these patients still have
difficulty trying to live a normal life." He continued, "HIV/AIDS isn't a simple medical problem, but a complicated
social problem for China. Lots of virus carriers and patients suffer not only from the disease, but also from
discrimination and isolation from society." Yu Keyi, an AIDS specialist at the Ditan Hospital said, "Chinese people who
were previously conservative in their attitude to sex and thought of AIDS as a disease of other countries now realize
AIDS has become a problem in China." As of last October, China has reported 11,170 HIV cases, of which 338 have
developed AIDS. Last year 180 people had died from AIDS.
––"1st HIV Support Group Set Up in China," Kyodo New Service (Tokyo), 13 January 1999;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 January 1999,
http://www.lexsnexis.com; "China Sets up First AIDS Club," Agence France Presse, 7 January 1999; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 7 January 1999, http://www.lexsnexis.com.
29
January 1999
Sources at the Chinese Association of Prevention and Control
of STDs and AIDS said a nation-wide network including public health, family planning and the media will be
established to promote AIDS prevention and awareness among China's estimated 120 million internal migrants. About 80
percent are laborers who migrate to urban areas in search of seasonal jobs. "If we do not pay more attention to
controlling the spread of the disease, particularly in floating populations, cases will hit 1.2 million in 2000,"
warned Chen Xianyi, Deputy Director of the Department for Disease Control of the Ministry of Health (MOH). MOH
officials reported at the end of 1998, China had recorded 12,580 HIV cases, of which 439 had developed AIDS and 337 had
died. Officials estimate there are 300,000 HIV carries in China.
––"Transients Susceptible to HIV/AIDS," China Daily, 29 January 1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 January 1999,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 3
February 1999
Beijing health officials announced the drafting of a 10-year working program to monitor and keep
the amount of HIV cases in Beijing under 30,000 by the year 2010. By 2010, Beijing city officials expect 80 percent of
city residents and 50 percent of rural residents to know about HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Furthermore, city
health officials will target the 2.85 million migrant workers in Beijing for AIDS awareness and prevention. Official
statistics show that 64.5 percent of Beijing's floating population is people aged between 15 and 39. As of 1
December 1998, Beijing has recorded 285 HIV cases, of which 105 were Beijing residents, 115 were from outside Beijing
and 65 were foreigners. Over the past few years, HIV cases in Beijing rose 20-40 cases annually, however, last year
health officials reported 96 case were found. In the past 10 years Beijing has invested over 8.8 million yuan (1
million USD) to prevent and control AIDS, as well as set up 37 HIV/AIDS laboratories.
––"Capital to Increase AIDS Prevention Program," China Daily, 3 February
1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 February
1999,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 21 May 1999
The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced new a
regulation on the rights of patients who have been infected with HIV/AIDS. The new regulation provides the
following rights for HIV/AIDS patients:
No organization or individual can reveal the
identity or address of an HIV/AIDS patient. Medical personnel are required to keep the
patient's medical information confidential, and all samples should be sent to a laboratory for confirmation. Lab staff must notify the patient or
relative of the results. Lab results are considered personal and are
protected under China's civil law. Medical documents belonging to HIV/AIDS
patients are considered confidential and are only to be handled by assigned personnel. All public health departments should assign
medical facilities to provide treatment for HIV/AIDS patients. No medical facility shall refuse medical
treatment to HIV/AIDS patients who are citizens of China and thus entitled to medical and healthcare. HIV carriers and their children should not
be deprived of their right to work, study or participate in social activities. HIV carriers can apply to get married,
provided both bride and groom have received medical consultations. HIV carriers are not allowed to donate
blood, organs or other body fluids. HIV carriers who intentionally infect others will be prosecuted. If the person has developed AIDS, he or she
will not be allowed to marry. According to China's Marriage Law, one cannot marry if the man or women suffers
from a disease which can be passed on to an unborn child.
––"Regulation Protects HIV Carriers
and AIDS Patients," China Daily, 21 May 1999;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 May 1999, http://www.lexsnexis.com.
18 June 1999
A new program to teach first
year university students has been popularized on campuses in Beijing and Shanghai. Initiated last year by the
Australia's Royal Women's Hospital, Beijing Medical University and Shanghai Second Medical University, the program has
junior medical students teach their freshman peers on safe sex and AIDS prevention. Usually, Chinese educational
practices have the teacher lecture to the students, however this program allows for teacher - student interaction. For
example, an instructor may have a shy student blow up a condom to become comfortable handling the common contraceptive
device. Last year the program reached 17,000 students at eight universities and 4,000 residents in Beijing and
Shanghai. This year, the program will expand to eight other universities in two additional cities. Durex, Schering and
Organon condom manufactures have been sponsoring the program. Of China's HIV population, 65.5 percent are between the
ages of 16 and 29 years old.
––"New Program Used to Teach
About AIDS," China Daily, 18 June 1999; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 June 1999, http://www.lexsnexis.com.
11 August 1999
China is beginning to
install the first 90 condom vending machines in public restrooms, subway stations and universities in Beijing and
Shanghai. Previously, condoms were only available to married couples via prescription.
––Oliver August, "Chin |
