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China HIV/AIDS
International Cooperation
1986
1 September 1986
The International Pathology Society hosted a week-long
conference in Vienna, Austria. One of the main topics of the conference was HIV/AIDS and pathogenic
bacterium. Along with eastern European countries, this was China first time taking part in the conference.
Other issues discussed were pulmonary tuberculosis.
––"International Conference Discussed AIDS," Xinhua, 1 September 1986;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 September 1986, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1987
30 August 1987
The Chinese government has pledged to work with the
international community and the World Health Organization to fight against AIDS. Vice-Minster He Jiesheng of
Public Health stated, "AIDS challenges all countries, and its prevention and treatment is a task for all
governments." He said the government will soon publish its AIDS prevention plans and regulations. These will
include: the medical inspection of those entering China from abroad, "medical" supervision of those at the
high-risk of contracting AIDS, and the establishment of AIDS laboratories in coastal cities.
––"China to Participate in Global Fight Against AIDS,"
Xinhua, 30 August 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 August 1987,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1988
2 March 1988
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced it will cooperate with the
Chinese government in the areas AIDS education and prevention. These will include the following areas:
Cooperation in testing
epidemic diseases; Evaluating Chinese
Traditional medicine for AIDS treatment; Educating lab and healthcare
workers; Providing awareness for the
Chinese people; Instituting a plan to provide
for the high quality of AIDS testing in China;
and
Inviting foreign AIDS experts
to exchange knowledge about AIDS.
Dr. J. Mann, WHO’s Chairman on AIDS programs
stated, “up to now we have not seen AIDS spread in China, so it is not too late for China to prevent it.”
––“WHO and China Join Hands in Fight against AIDS,” Xinhua, 2 March
1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 March 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 31 March 1988
US drug
manufacturer G.D. Searle & Company signed an agreement with the State Pharmaceutical Administration of China
to promote US drug sales in China. "This is a good beginning between the United States and China,"
said Liu Yonggang, a Vice-President of the Chinese Administration. Under the agreement Searle will
have the right to "exclusively any products that result from research and development," reported the
Associated Press (AP). Dr. Shen Jiaxing, Deputy Director of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Agency said
although AIDS was not specifically mentioned in the agreement, it might be an area of collaboration.
"We have not had a chance to talk that out, but it's possible our approaches could be synergistic," Shen
added.
––David Briscoe, "US Company Signs Drug
Pact with China," Associated Press, 31 March 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 March 1988,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1989
28 November 1989
While
attending an international conference on "The Spread of the AIDS Virus from Mother to Baby," Chinese Health
Minister Chen Minzhang said the prevention of AIDS should focus on increasing education and awareness.
Referring to AIDS in China, Chen believes the threat of AIDS is greater in large urban areas where there is
an increase of prostitution, venereal diseases and drug problems.
––“Chinese Health
Minister on AIDS Prevention," Xinhua, 28 November 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 November 1989,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1990
8 November 1990
Some 250 Chinese and 140 US experts from
medical, legal, educational, social and religious circles attended a two-day Sino-US conference on the
management of HIV/AIDS in Beijing. During the opening speech, Chen Minzhang, Chinese Minister of Public
Health stated, "To effectively restrain the spread and finally put under control this deadly infectious
disease, we much take unified and trans-regional and transnational measures and set up a global network for
prevention and treatment." Zhu Qi, a professor at the National Health Education Institute of China presented
a paper that said the cause of the rampant AIDS threat is sexual promiscuity. "Only through healthy
lifestyle can humanity survive the AIDS epidemic," he said. Zhu pointed to homosexuality, drug addiction and
pre-marital sex as the root causes of the rapid spread of the AIDS epidemic. Professor Wang Xiaodao of
Beijing Medical University and a committee member of the Chinese Sexual Science Committee told the symposium
that "promiscuous sexual relations destroy the ecological balance in the process of human sexual activity as
well as the psychological and social balance of sexual relations will be destroyed," reported Xinhua.
Dr. Fredric Colley of the Oregon
College of Oriental Medicine reported that chronic pain was successfully relieved in some 50 AIDS patients
treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Colley said, "It is not a fact that traditional Chinese
medicine helps alleviate the pain of some AIDS patients and to improve their quality of life," reported
Xinhua. Dr Wu Pingbo of the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine said the lives of over 3,000 AIDS
patients in Africa were "prolonged and their symptoms alleviated" according to Xinhua. "Most Western
medicines, although proved effective in treating AIDS, has side effects or is poisonous. Chinese traditional
herbs, even when they are used over a long period of time, will not lead to negative results," Wu reported.
––"Sino-American AIDS Symposium Opens in Beijing,"
Xinhua, 8 November 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 8 November 1990,
http://www.lexisnexis.com;
"Traditional Chinese Medicine Effective in Alleviating AIDS Pain," Xinhua, 9 November 1990; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 9 November 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com;
"Healthy Behavior Key to AIDS Eradication," Xinhua, 9 November 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9
November 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 9 November 1990
During a Sino-American HIV Symposium in Beijing, two Chinese academic
professionals stated that “healthy behavior” is the key to stopping the spread of AIDS. Zhu Qi, from the
National Health Education Institute “pointed out that the root cause of the swift
spread of AIDS is unhealthy life styles, such as homosexuality, drug addiction, and non-marital sexual
relations.” He stated, “Only through a healthy lifestyle can humanity survive the AIDS epidemic." Wang
Xiaodao, a professor at the Beijing Medical University and a committed member of the Chinese Sexual Science
Committee told the symposium that "promiscuous sexual relations destroy the ecological balance of normal
microbes, and pathogenic micro-organisms grow and spread, then the ecological balance in the process of
human sexual activity as well as the psychological and social balance of sexual relations will be
destroyed." He described venereal diseases and AIDS as double punishment inflicted by nature on human
society. “The Chinese
specialists agreed that establishing healthy lifestyles is the only way to control AIDS. They asserted that
it is impossible to try to control AIDS with special medicines and condoms, not only because there is little
chance of discovering a cure for aids within this century, but also because
HIV becomes part of the genes of
the affected cell as soon as it enters the body. Thus it is difficult to treat patients with anti-AIDS
drugs.”
––“Healthy Behavior Key to AIDS
Eradication,” Xinhua, 9 November 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 November 1990,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1991
14 March 1991
While addressing an international conference
co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDO) on
AIDS prevention and control, Deputy Minister of Public Health He Jiesheng said that "the prevention of
control of the AIDS epidemic have become one of the priorities in China's health sector in recent years, due
to the increased international contacts," wrote Xinhua. In her speech, she also noted that "education and
publicity and maintain strict control" were the key elements of HIV/AIDS prevention. Dai Zhicheng, Head of the Ministry of Health's (MOH)
Department of epidemic Prevention, reported that China plans to test up to three million citizens and
increase its surveillance of high-risk groups. To date, the MOH tested only 500,000 people for the
AIDS virus. "The numbers are far from enough to get a clear picture of AIDS distribution in China." He
added, "We will try to get a clearer picture in two to three years by doing a lot more testing, particularly
of high-risk groups." The three year program will cost about three million USD, of which China will provide
one million USD.
––“China Hastens AIDS
Prevention and Control," Xinhua, 14 March 1991; in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, 14 March 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com;
"China to expand Anti-AIDS Measures," United Press International, 15 March 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 15 March 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1992
6 July 1992
According to the People's
Daily, Lu Weibo of the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine has succeeded in treating AIDS patients
in Tanzania with traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The report states of the 158 AIDS patients treated,
39.87 percent became HIV negative after 10 to 15 months. The mortality rate of patients being treated with a
combination of Chinese and western medication was 12.04 percent, but patients treated with only western
medication reached 60 percent.
––"China Succeeds
in Treating AIDS with Chinese Herbal Medicine," Xinhua, 6 July 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 July 1992,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 6 July 1992
China's Jilin province and
Denmark have signed a trade deal that will allow Denmark to import 260 million USD worth of a newly
developed anti-AIDS drug called milingwang. The medicine was developed by Lin Haifeng, Director
of the Tonghua Institute of Medicines for AIDS Prevention and Cure. Xinhua reported that
milingwang has been tested on AIDS patients in Yunnan, Argentina, Brazil and Tanzania, and results
showed the medicine has "curative effects over some AIDS patients."
––"China to Export Anti-AIDS Medicine," Xinhua, 6 July 1992; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 July 1992, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 24 July 1992
China sent its first delegation
to the International Conference on AIDS. At the conference China outlined its medium-range AIDS prevention
plan and confirmed its has 11 AIDS patients. Chinese officials also presented their findings on using
Chinese traditional medicine to treat AIDS.
––"Chinese Official Briefs International Meeting on AIDS Policy," Xinhua, 24 July 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 July 1992,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1993
3 August 1993
A World Health Organization
(WHO) official said that China is currently "in the first phase of the disease and of the possibility of
controlling" the spread of HIV/AIDS among its population. He said, "According to our estimates, between
5,000 and 10,000 Chinese are seriopositive in China." He based this estimate on approximately two million
tested Chinese of which 1,106 have tested positive for the AIDS virus.
––"Between 5,000 and 10,000
HIV Carriers in China," Agence France Presse, 24 July 1993, n Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 July 1993,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 9 September 1993
In a report
released by the United National Development Program (UNDP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), drug abuse,
prostitution, internal migration and ignorance are seen as the major factors in the spread of HIV/AIDS in
China. Yuan Jianhua of the Beijing Institute of Information and Chen Yanlin of the Control and the Institute
of Epidemiology and Microbiology said health officials have so far tested 1,106 people for AIDS, of which
780 are drug users. The majority of cases are from Yunnan province, which borders Burma and Indochina. They
also report while the growth of HIV infection through intravenous drug use is stable, the "number infected
with HIV through sexual contacts increased...year by year." In 1991, the rate of those infected with HIV
though sexual contact was 10 percent. Last year, the infection rate rose to over 14 percent. China's
Ministry of Public Health estimated there are 5,000 people infected with the AIDS virus, but the World
Health Organization estimated the number to be as high as 15,000. In response to rising cases of AIDS
in China, the central government has banned all imported blood and blood products. Beijing estimated the
cost of treating AIDS cases between 1993 and 2000 to reach 21 million USD, while the indirect cost to the
economy could reach 300 million USD.
––"Drug
Abuse, Prostitutes, Migration Cause AIDS Peril in China," Agence France Presse, 98 September 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 September 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. 26 October 1993
China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand
and the United Nations International Drug Control (UNDCP) agreed to cooperate in illicit drug production,
trafficking and abuse. The major objective is to eliminate poppy cultivation and drug trafficking through
economic and social development programs. Concurrently, the programs will also address the problem of
HIV/AIDS infections associated with drug abuse.
––"UN: Four Asian States Sign Drug Control Memo," Xinhua, 26 October
1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26
October 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1994
9 March 1994
While in Beijing, Executive Director of the World Health Organization’s
(WHO) Global AIDS Program, Michael Merson, warns Chinese officials that China is facing a serious AIDS
epidemic. He called for China to implement a nation wide sex education program and to encourage the use of
condoms if it wanted to avoid Thailand’s AIDS disaster. A WHO official in Beijing explained, “When you
do try to educate youth and you target education programs and promote the use of condoms, it is effective.
And China has a very large population of 15 to 24 year olds, which make up the most vulnerable high-risk
group.” Currently, limited surveying has detected 1,243 HIV cases in China, of which 36 are full-blown AIDS
and 25 have died. Chinese health officials acknowledge the actual number of HIV carriers is close to 10,000
people and could reach 100,000 by the year 2000.
––“WHO Warns China it Faces AIDS Epidemic,” United Press International,
9 March 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 9 March 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 4 July 1994
With assistance from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the
State Council Research Office and Ministry of Public Heath released a report that notes “the problems and
difficulties encountered in the prevention and control of AIDS in China.” For example, the report notes
difficulties, such as the transmission of AIDS from the countries which lay on China’s southern borders, and
China’s large floating population. It also “analyses AIDS/HIV infection in the country and the social and
economic implications of AIDS in China and suggests appropriate measures.” Furthermore, it acknowledges the
general public knows very little about AIDS or its prevention.
The report also calls on the Chinese government to promote AIDS awareness
among the Chinese population. “Only thus can the incidence of HIV infection in China continue to be kept at
a relatively low level, and its disturbances and challenges to the policy of openness and modernization
construction drive in the country be avoided,” the report said. The objectives of the report are to
“establish as soon as possible a prevention and control system involving the whole community by giving full
authority to all departments concerned and to form, during the 8th 5-year plan (1991-1995), a
preliminary national macroscopic control mechanism.” Such objectives will involve education, health
insurance, and an organized HIV/AIDS surveillance system. Chen Minzhang, Minister of Public Health, said
China will increase its overall AIDS Prevention and Control funding, formulate national mid-term and
long-term programs, and establish more laws and regulations regarding the control of HIV/AIDS.
––“China Makes Efforts for AIDS Prevention and Control,” Xinhua, 4 July 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 4 July 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 5 August 1994
China Daily reported the
European Union (EU) will provide approximately
two million USD to help fund a project to train laboratory
technicians and doctors “with the latest techniques for testing and treating various STDs” in China.
According to the Ministry of Health, “China registered 54,000 fresh cases of STDs in the first quarter of
this year, a sharp rise of 39 percent on the same 1993 period.” At the end of July, China has 40 cases of
full-blown AIDS, of whom 22 have died; as well as 1,435 HIV carriers. The World Health Organization puts the
estimated number of HIV infections at 10,000.
––“China, EU to join force against Spread of
STDs,” Agence France Presse, 5 August 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 August 1994,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 5 August 1994
The Chinese newspaper Health News reported China laboratory
technicians recently completed a week-long professional training course given by United States laboratory
experts. In the future, these trainees will train the laboratory technicians throughout China on primary
screening for HIV/AIDS. Currently, China has 12 labs for confirming AIDS cases and 276 primary screening
centers.
––“Trains More Skilled Workers for AIDS Labs,” Xinhua,
5 August 1994, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 August
1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 15 September 1994
The European Union (EU) and the Chinese Ministry of Public Health
established a 2.4 million Euro (about 24.3 million yuan) AIDS and Venereal Disease Treatment Training
Program. The specific objectives of the program are as follows:
to improve the management of AIDS and
venereal disease control projects; to improve the communal care for AIDS
and venereal disease patients; to improve the laboratory diagnosis of
AIDS and venereal diseases; to improve studies in AIDS and venereal
disease epidemiology and related pubic health services; and to improve the education techniques of
practicing physicians working at AIDS and venereal disease clinics.
To meet these goals, the program will set up two
national training centers, one in Beijing and the other in Shanghai. These centers will hold “training
classes in medical care for AIDS and venereal disease patients and clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological
control of AIDS and venereal diseases.” These training classes will also offer training to future teachers,
who will teach similar classes at 25 regional centers. The administrative office for the program will
be located in Beijing.
––Ching Chi, “China Allocates 20m
Yuan to cooperate with
the EC to Cure and Prevent AIDS,” Ming Pao (Hong Kong), 15 September 1994, pg. A12; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 October 1994,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 27 December 1994
While attending a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) meeting in Hong
Kong, Wang Zhao, Deputy Director of the Diseases Control Department of the Ministry of Health, said 70
percent of people testing positive for AIDS in China are intravenous drug users, and were found in Yunnan
Province. The remaining victims contracted AIDS through sexual contact. “According to the latest government
statistics, 1,435 people have tested positive for HIV, and 40 of them have full-blown AIDS.” Researchers at
the Beijing Union Medical University, China’s top medical university, reported “51 percent of China’s AIDS
victims were in their 20s and increasing sexual contact was leading to the spread of the virus.”
––Chan Wai-Fong, “70 pc of AIDS Cases ‘Are drug addicts,’” South
China Morning Post, 27 December 1994, p. 6; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 27 December 1994,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1995
20 January 1995
China will host the 31st International
Conference on Military Medicine (ICMM) in October 1996. The conference will host military medical personnel
from up to 170 countries and will focus on the prevention and treatment of injuries caused by modern
weaponry, HIV/AIDS in the military context, the use of antibiotics and the application of traditional
medicine for military injuries.
––“Beijing to
Hosts International Military Medicine Conference," Xinhua, 20 January 1995;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 January 1995,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 20 April 1995
Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Chen Jian said that no person would be denied entry into China for the United
Nations 4th World Conference on Women based on their HIV status. He stated, "Nobody will be denied entry
just because he or she is a AIDS patient or a HIV carrier."
––"Urgent AIDS Patients to be Allowed into China for UN Conference on
Women," Xinhua, 20 April 1995; in Lexis-Nexis. Academic Universe, 20 April 1995,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 24 July 1995
Australian medical equipment manufacturer Agen Biomedical Ltd. will establish a joint venture in Beijing
with Beijing Hua Yi Biotechnology Co. and Diagnotech Co. of Hong Kong to produce and market AIDS test kits.
Sources say these AIDS tests can determine if a person is HIV positive or negative in 30 minutes.
––"Agen Biomedical to Make AIDS Test Kits in China,"
The Nikkei Weekly (Japan), 24 July 1995, pg. 20; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 July 1995,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1996
18-20 March 1996
The United
Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) along with officials from China and
Myanmar participated in a drug abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention conference in Kunming, Yunnan. The conference
evaluated the progress made in reducing the number of drug addicts and the HIV infection rate since the
program was started in 1993. According to the report in areas where the program was implemented, the
number of drug users has significantly decreased and there have been no new cases of HIV infections. "There
has been no new drug user nor new HIV/AIDS case in any of the four pilot villages, and the number of drug
users has been reduced," said Jiang Pusheng, Secretary-General of China's Yunnan Narcotics Control
Committee. The conference will also look to increase cross-border cooperation at the local level to monitor
drug abuse and HIV infections.
––"UN to Review
Drug Abuse Along China-Myanmar Border," Xinhua, 15 March 1996; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 15 March
1996, http://www.lexisnexis.com;
"Burma, China Join Fight Drugs, AIDS," Agence France Presse, 5 April 1996;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 April 1996,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 29 March 1996
Beginning in 1994,
the European Union (EU) has provided 2.8 million USD to establish two national sexually transmitted
disease (STD) control centers in Beijing and Shanghai. In addition, 25 provincial training centers have been
set-up at 11 anti-epidemic stations and 14 institutions for STD control in 21 provinces. The program will
also train Chinese medical workers in epidemiology, the detection and treatment of HIV and teach them
related management skills. China has reported over 300,000 STD cases in 1995, but experts estimate
there are over three million cases.
––"EU Funds
Sexual Health Projects in China," Xinhua, 29 March 1996, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 March 1996,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 7
May 1996
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam met in Beijing to create a reproductive health and AIDS
prevention manual. This manual will be the basis in training 10,000 young adults "who, in turn, will cascade
key HIV/AIDS prevention messages to young people in China and the other participating countries. In addition
to youth peer education, member countries will also focus particularly on strategies to reduce the spread of
HIV/AIDS among women, who much rely on their partners to practice safe sex and are, therefore, increasingly
vulnerable to the deadly virus," reported Xinhua. "National boundaries cannot contain or
exclude the HIV/VIRUS - which is why a regional approach to the pandemic is vital," said Patric Couteau,
Regional Health Delegate for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. HIV
cases in Asia reached 4.3 million last year, and in China there are an estimated 100,000 HIV cases.
Statistics show half of those infected with HIV in Asia are under 25 years old. He continued, "The epidemic
in China is following the economic development of the country through migrant workers and truck drivers, so
border areas will be a problem but so will cities nationwide."
Referring to China's AIDS prevention and awareness campaign launched
last year, Werasit Sittitrai, Chairman of the Asian Red Cross and Red Crescent AIDS Task Force (ART) said it
was a major turning point in the global fight against AIDS. "China's recent recognition of the AIDS problem
is one of the success stories of the world." He continued, "Although there is allot more that needs to be
done, we have seen work on AIDS, on prostitution and on drugs in China increase dramatically." An unnamed
Chinese health expert added, "It is still difficult to work on AIDS, there are still big political problems
in tackling the whole issue as it involves so many areas that the government wishes it didn't have."
Officials estimate the number of prostitutes to be at more than one million and drug users at over 520,000.
The Ministry of Health has reported 2,428 official cases of HIV infections.
––"Asian Youth Educated to Combat AIDS," Xinhua, 7 May 1996; in
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 May 1996,
http://www.lexisnexis.com;
Lorien Holland, "China's New Focus on AIDS Hailed as Turing Point in Global Prevention," Agence France
Presse, 7 May 1996; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 7 May 1996,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 16 May 1996
The World Bank and the Chinese
Ministry of (MOH) Heath have jointly launched a five year program (1996-2000) to control "non-infectious
chronic diseases" and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in China. Funded with a 10 million USD loan from the
World Bank, the program will be set-up in Yunnan province, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chengdu, Luoyang in
Henan province, Liuzhou in Guangxi province, and Weihai in Shandong province. According to the MOH,
non-infectious diseases are increasing in China because of the aging population and changes in lifestyles.
Also, sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, are also increasing. Experts believe increased
awareness will be the most effective to stop the increase of chronic diseases in China.
––"Project launched to Prevent HIV/AIDS Among Chinese,"
Xinhua, 16 May 1996; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 May 1996,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1997
20 May 1997
Some 150 Chinese and British scientists and
doctors met in Beijing to discuss HIV/AIDS prevention and care. During the conference, jointly sponsored by
the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine (CAPM) and the British Chelsea Westminster Hospital, the
participants discuss the "latest achievements in immunity, diagnosis, care, education, and managements,"
reported Xinhua. China has reported a total of 5,990 HIV infections as of the end of 1996, of which
155 have developed AIDS. "The growing speed of HIV infections in China has accelerated in recent years,
noted Yin Dakui, Vice-Minister of Public Health. "The spread of AIDS worldwide is not only a major health
issue, but a political, social, and economic one," he added.
––"Sino-British Symposium on AIDS Prevention, Care," Xinhua, 20 May
1997; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 May 1997,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 8 July 1997
The United Nations Development
Program (UNDP) provided a 1.8 million USD grant to China to assist with the fight against HIV/AIDS over the
next four years. Ministry of Health (MOH) officials said the money will be used to focus on education
programs in the three southern provinces of Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan. Also, the funds will used to train
ministry workers and intervention activities among high-risk populations. "These activities will be
supported by multi-sectional efforts at national and local levels and complemented by national policy
development," reported Xinhua. A survey conducted last year showed that 32 percent of all rural
medical workers could not explain to patients how HIV was spread. China has reported some 7,000 HIV cases up
to May 1997.
––"UN to Help China Fight AIDS,
"Xinhua, 8 July 1997; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 8 July 1997,
http://www.lexisnexis.com; "UN
Funds China AIDS Crackdown," United Press International, 8 July 1997;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 8 July 1997,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 31 October 1997
Health Officials from China,
neighboring countries in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, and the World Health Organization (WHO)
attend a meeting to establish regional measures to control the spread of infectious diseases, such as
HIV/AIDS. Antonio Tismo, a WHO official said, "The intention was to have a coordinated effort in controlling
the diseases resulting from the migration of those residing at the border countries." China is
particularly concerned with the rapid spread of infectious diseases across the border it shares with
Southeast Asia. "Out regions may differ in policies, strategies and schedules of activities for communicable
disease control, but we have a joint responsibility for the people who live in the border areas," said Dr.
S.T. Han, Regional Director of WHO Western Pacific Office.
––"China: Meeting Backs Regional Links to Fight Diseases," China
Daily, 31 October 1997, p. 2; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 October 1997,
http://www.lexisnexis.com;
"Asia-Pacific Health Officials Discuss
Cross-Border AIDS Control," Agence France Presse, 31 October 1997; in Lexis-Nexis. Academic Universe, 31
October 1997,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1998
9 January 1998
While
speaking at an international donor's meeting on HIV/AIDS control in China, Liu Peilong, Director of the
Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Health (MOH), said that funding and technical
support from overseas governments and organizations will enable China to implement more than one hundred
AIDS awareness programs. These programs include establishing an HIV/AIDS Internet Information Center,
promoting condom use among China's high risk population and publishing material about sex education for
Chinese school children. "The programs will undoubtedly help China curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
However, the major problem centers on the lack of technology and capital," said Liu. He said the goal of the
meeting was to "strengthen the international community's awareness of the HIV/AIDS situation in China and
promote greater participation in control efforts," and to "ensure all possible international support will be
forthcoming," according to Arthur Holcombe, resident coordinator of UN Operation activities in China.
––“New HIV/AIDS Intervention Measures Gain
International Support," Xinhua, 9 January 1998; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 October 1997,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 12 January 1998
United Nations (UN)
officials warned that China could have over 10 million HIV/AIDS cases by 2010 unless effective measures are
taken. Arthur Holcombe, resident coordinator of UN operations in China said, "The situation in China is
potentially very serious, and HIV/AIDS infections could rise to more than 10 million by 2010 unless strong
counter measures are now taken." China has 8,303 registered HIV cases, of which 209 have developed
AIDS and 119 have died. Experts believe the number of HIV/AIDS cases could be as high as 150,000 to 200,000.
––"China Could Face 10 Million AIDS Cases by 2010,
UN Warns," Asia Pulse, 12 January 1998;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 January 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 6 February 1998
China Daily
listed some of the aid provided by international organizations:
The World Bank and
the Ministry of Health (MOH) have recently drawn up new plans relating to the control of HIV/AIDS
and STDs. Since the early 1990s, the World Bank has funded several AIDS projects in China.
Since 1993, the
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has granted more than 2.9 million USD for programs aimed
at reducing HIV infection rates. The United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF) has contributed HIV/AIDS awareness programs focusing on women and children. The United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has supported teacher-training on
HIV/AIDS. The World Bank has
given substantial amounts of funds to support HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities. The European Union
(EU), Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), and the Ford Foundation have help
China in addressing HIV/AIDS in some "sensitive areas."
––“China Global Bodies
Help AIDS Fight," Xinhua, 6 February 1998; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 February 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 23 March 1998
China and the United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will launch a program next month aimed at promoting reproductive health and
family planning among women in rural China. The program is China's response to the Programme of Action of
the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) which was held in Cairo in 1994, said Cong
Jun, Department Director in charge of international cooperation with the State Family Planning Commission.
"The ICPD program called upon all nations to provide high-quality reproductive health services for couples
of reproductive age and to integrate family planning activities with information on preventing sexual
diseases such as infections of the reproductive system and HIV/AIDS," reported China Daily. The UNFPA
will provide a 14 million USD grant for the project, which will be completed by the year 2000. In addition to the UNFPA project, the State
Family Panning Commission and the World Health Organization have set up a three year program to develop
China's capacity to produce new types of contraceptives, including condoms, and carry out training for
healthcare professionals.
––“China Plan to Aid
Rural Women; UN Will Provide US $14 million," China Daily, 23 March 1998; in Lexis-Nexis Academic
Universe, 23 March 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 10 April 1998
China shared its
AIDS control and prevention experiences at an international AIDS conference in Windhoek, Namibia. Gu Angran,
a member of China's delegation said the conference focused on introducing legislation, enhancing monitoring
and treatment of AIDS, reinforcing blood control, strengthening the fight against drug trafficking and
promoting medical research and national AIDS awareness.
––“China Shares Experience in AIDS Control," Xinhua, 10 April 1998; in
Lexis-Nexis. Academic Universe, 23 March 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 4 May 1998
Chinese Vice-Premier Li
Lanqing met with Peter Piot, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
This is Piot's first trip to China since he became executive director in 1996. During his stay in
Beijing, Piot said that China's "floating population" will be a main obstacle in fighting AIDS in China. He
said, "The number of infected people is still fairly low for a huge country like China. But what is
important is to see what is the vulnerability of the population, with millions and millions of so-called
floating populations migrating in the country with the very rapid economic and urban development."
––“Chinese Vice-Premier Meet UN Official," Xinhua,
4 May 1998; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 May 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com;
"China's Transient Population AIDS Risk- UN Official," APP Newsfeed, 9 May 1998; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 May 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 30 June 1998
During the 12th World AIDS Conference being held in Geneva, Chinese Vice-Health Minister Yin Dakui
said "provided that HIV prevalence among the adult population in China can be kept below 0.2 percent, the
best achievable target by 2010 is to keep the number of HIV infections below 1.5 million." He also
announced the main objectives of the recently passed Medium and Long Term Plan for the Prevention and
Control of AIDS (1998-2010):
The long term
objective to keep the HIV rate at a low level in the context of the global infection rate The medium
objectives for HIV preventions and control by 2002 are to halt the transmission of HIV through the
blood supply; control the spread of HIV through the intravenous drug user population; and reduce the
STD rate to fewer than 15 percent.
The goal of prevention and control is to
spread awareness and prevention information throughout the Chinese population by using all forms of
media. China's high schools and universities should incorporated AIDS awareness courses, and condom
promotion should be encouraged where applicable.
From 1985 to March 1998, more than 10 million people have been tested
for the AIDS virus. Some 9,970 HIV cases were reported in 30 provinces, of which 290 have developed AIDS and
173 people have died. The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported some 36.3 percent of HIV infections are
concentrated in China's minority population, and intravenous drug users account for 66.9 percent of all
infections. However, the proportion of sexual transmission is rising annually. Since 1987, China has reportedly spent 5.6 million USD on
HIV/AIDS prevention. In 1987 the Chinese government established a special fund for HIV/AIDS prevention
and control. According to Yin, from 1987 to 1994 China spent 1.3 million USD, from 1995 to 1997 China spent
4.28 million USD on AIDS prevention and control. The total amount of aid from international
organizations totaled 17.4 million USD up to 1996.
––“China Aims to Keep HIV Infections Below 1.5 million by 2010," Xinhua,
30 June 1998; in Lexis-Nexis. Academic Universe, 30 June 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com;
"China Spends Nearly 5.6 Million USD on HIV/AIDS Prevention," Xinhua, 30 June 1998;
in Lexis-Nexis. Academic Universe, 30 June 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com; 6 August 1998
The World Health Organization
(WHO) reported it will increase its current funding for health projects in China by 1.5 million USD over the
next two years. Currently, China has received a total of 14 million USD from the WHO for the period of
1998-99. The funding will be used for improvements in primary and community healthcare. In the context
of HIV/AIDS, "work will be carried out in Hunan province and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to prevent
HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to build health education schools.
––“WHO to Increase Technical Assistance," Xinhua, 6
August 1998; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 August 1998,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
1999
9 January 1999
Glaxo Wellcome will
build a 100 million USD manufacturing plant in Suzhou, Jiangsu province following China approval of
lamivudine, an oral treatment for hepatitis B. Besides producing lamivudine, the plant will also produce
antibiotics. Lamivudine, which is sold under the brand name Epivir for HIV patients, could earn Glaxo
Wellcome additional sales of 250 - 300 million pounds as a hepatitis B treatment, half of which could come
from China.
––“Glaxo Wellcome Builds 85
million pound Factory in China," Financial Times (London), 9 January 1999, p. 17; in Lexis-Nexis.
Academic Universe, 9 January 1999,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 19 March 1999
While addressing an
international conference on HIV/AIDS in Bangkok, Thailand, Shao Yiming, Deputy Director of China's National
Center for AIDS Prevention and Control (NCAIDS) reports about 75 percent of China's HIV/AIDS cases are
located in Yunnan province. He said, "The main reason is because it (Yunnan) is very close to the Golden
Triangle and there is a lot of drug trafficking into China through this province." About 70 percent of
China HIV/AIDS cases are related to intravenous drug use.
––“Yunnan Province Accounts for 75 Percent of Chinese HIV Cases,"
Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 19 March 1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe,
19 March 1999,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 4 May 1999
Funded by Save the Children,
Tibet will launch a program to train local healthcare workers on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
Furthermore, the Untied Nations' Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Tibet will
host a series of public activities to promote AIDS awareness among the general population of Tibet. To date,
Tibet has reported no HIV/AIDS cases, but two foreign tourists were refused entry into Tibet after testing
positive for HIV.
––"Tibet to Publicize AIDS
Prevention Knowledge," Xinhua, 4 May 1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 May 1999,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 5 May 1999
The World Bank has approved a 10
million USD loan and a credit of 50 million USD to fund China's Health Nine Project. This project has two
components. The first part focuses on material health and child developments in China's poorest regions. The
second component aims to prevent and control sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS in four of
China's high-risk provinces. It will "implement comprehensive and multi-sectional public health policies and
programs" on the local level, we well as "build technical and management capacities at the central level."
The second component will also promote the involvement of non-governmental organizations.
––“World Bank Helps China Address Health Needs," Xinhua,
5 May 1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 May 1999,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
6 July 1999
During a two-day conference on political and security implication for
ASEAN in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen stated strengthening regional
cooperation is extremely important because it offers three opportunities:
It will help resolve outstanding issues
of common concern. It will provide opportunities for joint
development projects in the GMS. It will allow participating countries
to act jointly to meet common needs.
Some of the current problems facing the sub-region
are migration, illegal arms trade, cross-border trade, smuggling, pollution and the rapid spread of
HIV/AIDS. The GMS includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and China's Yunnan province.
––“Cambodia Stresses Importance of Regional
Cooperation," Xinhua, 6 July 1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 July 1999,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 29 July 1999
Liu Xiaoming, the interim person in charge of China's embassy in the
United States and Jean-Michel Severino, Vice-President of the World Bank, signed three loan agreements worth
330 million USD. One of the projects will be aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS,
sexually transmitted diseases and improving healthcare for mothers and children in China's impoverished
areas.
––“World Bank Funds Three New China
Projects," China Online, 2 August 1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 August 1999,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
16 August 1999
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Chinese Ministry for
Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) are planning to establish a new five-year plan (2001-2005)
that will focus on child abduction, protection of girl's rights and the prevention of HIV/AIDS. "Our
plan may attach greater importance to the protection of abducted children and street children, and to health
and education issues among the children of migrant peoples in cities," said Zhou Bing, MOFTEC program
officer. "Through this (UNICEF's) cooperation, children's affairs have become a major part of the
governmental agenda, and sustainable development in program areas has been promoted," added Zhou.
––"China, UNICEF Plan for New Five-Year Cooperation,"
Xinhua, 16 August 1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16
August 1999, http://www.lexisnexis.com. 1 November 1999
A spokesperson from the
Yunnan-Australia Red Cross HIV Prevention Project said the zero-tolerance for China's marginalized groups,
such as sex workers and drug addicts, have made education and prevention more difficult for the increasing
number of nongovernmental organizations in China. She said, "The government now openly acknowledges the
threat of HIV but it will take time for it to realize there is a parallel universe out there, they have
their cultural morals but there are people who live outside of those on the ground in China." An
official from the Disease Control Division of the Ministry of Health (MOH) said HIV carriers who are guilty
of prostitution and illegal drug use are sent to "reform through labor camps." Also, she said "China is not
capable of offering these people free syringes or condoms. We cannot afford to give these things out
for free." However, she noted the state provide married couples with free condoms. For these
reasons, many people at risk for HIV infections do not come forward. Many experts also believe that
because of these reasons it is almost impossible to actually track the AIDS crisis in China solely on
official statistics.
––"Prejudice the Basis for
China's Looming AIDS Epidemic," Hobart Mercury (Australia), 1 November 1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 November 1999,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 18 November 1999
During an International
AIDS Vaccine Symposium held in Beijing, the AIDS Prevention and Control Center under the Ministry of Health
(MOH) signed an agreement with the Ellen Diamond AIDS Research Center of Rockefeller University (USA) to
build a joint research laboratory.
––"Sino-US
Joint Efforts AIDS Solution," China Daily, 30 November 1999;
in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 November 1999,
http://www.lexsnexis.com.
2000
16 February 2000
Delegates from China, Lao, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia meet in Phnom Penh to attend a Greater Mekong
Sub-regional (GMS) seminar on HIV/AIDS. The seminar gave delegates an opportunity to discuss the potential
ways of computing the impact of AIDS on national economic development and the ways of creating and
implementing an appropriate multi-sector plan to address the issue.
––"Cambodia Holds Sub-Regional Seminar on HIV/AIDS," Xinhua, 16 February
2000; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 February 2000,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 6 March 2000
The All China Women’s Federation, Beijing offices of United Nations
Department Fund for Women (UNIFEM), and the United Nations Theme Group on HIV/AIDS co-sponsored a symposium
on Gender and HIV/AIDS in Beijing. The conference focused on the “dramatic increase of HIV/AIDS in
women and children.” Of the world’s 33.4 million HIV infected adults, 43 percent are women. In addition, by
the end of 1998 1.7 million children under the age of 15 have died of AIDS globally, and 90 percent of these
children were infected by their mothers.
––“Symposium on Gender, HIV/AIDS Held in Beijing,”
Xinhua, 6 March 2000 in FBIS CPP20000306000148.
9 March 2000
The World Bank financed a 10 million USD health project covering 15
cities and 16 counties in Xinjiang Autonomous Region. The project will target the healthcare of women and
children, and "tackling the rising number of HIV cases and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)." Since
Xinjiang's first registered HIV case was discovered in 1995, the number of cases has risen to 3,600.
Officials estimate the number of HIV infections is at 400,000.
––“World Bank Finances HIV, Sexual Diseases Prevention in Xinjiang,"
Xinhua, 9 March 2000; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 March 2000,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 13 June 2000
The China-UK HIV/AIDS
Prevention and Care Project launched a program aimed at creating a model of disease prevention, treatment
and care for people most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Although the
program will mostly target areas in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, the ultimate goal is to create an
"effective national response to HIV/AIDS and to develop the national policy framework," according to Wang
Longde, Vice Minister of Health. Official statistics show China now has 18,143 confirmed HIV cases,
with an estimated 500,000 cases. For STDs, the "real figure...may be five or even ten times the confirmed
836,600 cases in 1999," Wang said. Nigel Cox, the Minister of the British Embassy in Beijing said, "The
project aims to reduce the public stigma attached to the disease, and to make more people aware of the need
for adequate public spending on treatment and prophylaxis against opportunistic infections commonly
associated with AIDS."
––"Sino-British HIV/AIDS
Project launched in Beijing," Xinhua, 13 June 2000; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe,
13 June 2000,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 2 September 2000
Over 1,000 public health
experts from 40 countries attended the Ninth International Public Health Congress of the World Federation of
Public Health Associations in Beijing. The conference focused on the impact of the global economy and
environmental changes on public health, the control over tobacco products, HIV and AIDS, oral and mental
health, and the development of public health undertaking in China.
––"Beijing to Host Ninth Int'l Public Health Congress," Xinhua, 31
August 2000; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 August 2000,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 22 September
2000
China launched a five-year Sino-US joint Adolescent Reproductive Health Project aimed at
providing reproductive health information to China's youth aged between 10 to 24. Liu Hanbin, Vice
President of the China Family Planning Association (CPFA) said China's adolescents and young people are
under threat from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancy. The project will be
carried out in urban areas in 12 provinces including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Shenzhen,
Qingdao, and the provinces of Shandong Heilongjiang, Hubei, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Shaanxi, as well as
some rural areas.
––"Project Launched to
Improve Adolescent Reproductive Health," Xinhua, 22 September 2000; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe,
22 September 2000,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
3 November 2000
Speaking at the 55th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Huang Xueqi said HIV/AIDS has
caused a heavy burden on many developing countries, where the advances of economic development could be
erased if the international community did not take immediate action. The UN will convene a
special session on HIV/AIDS on 25-27 June 2001.
––"China Urges Global Political Commitment in Fighting AIDS," Xinhua, 3
November 2000; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 November
2000, http://www.lexisnexis.com. [UN Press Release of Statement] 1 December 2000
In cooperation with Glaxo Wellcome (British) and Merck Pharmaceutical
Company (US), the China National Center for AIDS Prevention and Control established six community AIDS
treatment centers throughout China. They are located in Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming (Yunnan Province),
Guangzhou (Guangdong Province), Zhengzhou (Henan Province) and Urumqi (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region).
Cao Yunzhen, Deputy Director of the National Center for AIDS Prevention and Control confirmed that there are
about 100 HIV patients being treated at the centers. The current treatment method being used is “dependent
on imported drugs, such as Combivir, Indinavir, and Stocrine.” China has 20,711 HIV carriers.
––“China Sets Up Six Centers Engaged in Treatment of AIDS,” China Daily, 1 December
2000 in FBIS CPP20001201000023; AIDS
Centers Pioneer Treatment," Xinhua, 1 December 2000; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe,
1 December 2000,
http://www.lexisnexis.com. 5 December 2000
The government
of Switzerland provided China with a 40 million yuan (about 4.82 million USD) to set up a comprehensive
infectious disease control and medical service system in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The system
consists of technology and equipment in the fields of immunization, blood-transfusion, irradiation
examination, medical operations, ward facilities and biological testing. The system will help reduce
hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS infections through blood transfusions.
––“Medical System for Infection Control Set Up in Xinjiang," Xinhua, 5
December 2000; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe,
5 December 2000,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
8
December 2000
The
Chicago-based Female Health Company announced it is working with UNAIDS and the State Family Planning
Commission in order to make the Female Condom available in China. "It's a product for people worried about
sexually transmitted diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS," said Mary Ann Leeper, President of Female Health Company. The female condom is the only
women-controlled method of contraception that helps protects against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
and is sold in over 75 countries. The Female Condom is popular with female sex workers because they are most
at risk for STDs. "We have gotten a very positive response from sex workers worldwide," Leeper said.
UNAIDS studies show when the Female Condom is an available option, there is a significant reduction in STDs,
compared when only a male condom is available. The Shanghai Duba Trading Development Co. registered the
product in China and has received permission to distribute the product under the name Femidom.
––“China - Female Condoms Debut in China," China Online, 8
December 2000; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe,
8 December 2000,
http://www.lexisnexis.com.
2001
1 March 2001
During a
joint European-China Training Program on HIV/AIDS and STD, the Health Ministry announced they there were
22,517 confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS in China. The total number of STD cases has reached 4 million. “China has
so far discovered 880 patients with full-blown AIDS since 1985. Between 1985 and the present, 466 of those
patients have died.” The conference acknowledged that current HIV education and awareness programs are
currently being carried out in urban areas only, but “efforts must be made to further inform the 900 million
farmers and transient laborers in urban and township areas.” A condom promotion plan was also announced.
––“China Health Ministry Officials Express Concern over Rising AIDS Rates,” China Daily,
1 March 2001 in FBIS CPP20010301000017. 9 April 2001
With support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Ford
Foundation and the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, the State Family Planning Commission (SPFC),
conducted a survey in December 2000 of 7,000 residents of Beijing, Shanghai, Heilongjiang Province, Henan
Province, and others measuring their knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The survey found that 20 percent had never heard
of AIDS. Of the people who heard of AIDS, only 22.7 percent knew AIDS is spread by a virus. Only 50.3
percent knew that AIDS was not curable, and 29 percent had worried about being infected. “Over 70 percent
never thought about trying to prevent the spread of the disease.” The survey also noted that the Chinese
public “fears and detests” HIV and AIDS patients. At the end of 2000, there were 22,517 confirmed HIV
patents in China.
––“PRC Survey: Public Knows Little about AIDS,” Xinhua, 9 April 2001 in
FBIS COO20010109000170. 25 June 2001
At a special UN General Assembly session on HIV/AIDS, Chinese Minister of
Health Zhang Wenkang formally proposed a four point proposal for combating HIV/AIDS, “saying that
leadership, coordination and resources are closely inter-linked in HIV/AIDS control.” He added that the
Chinese government has increased its AIDS funding from 1.7 million USD to 12.4 million USD. Furthermore,
“The rapid spreading of HIV/AIDS is attributable to poverty and is, at the same time, a major contributing
factor to worse poverty.” The four point proposal proposed:
“Laying emphasis on prevention is a
strategy of prime importance to the control of HIV/AIDS, particularly by developing countries, whose
resources are inadequate. Only by doing a better job perseveringly in prevention can we free the
broad mass of people from the threats of HIV/AIDS, minimize the impact of HIV/AIDS on socioeconomic
development and protect the interests of communities, families and individuals.”
“The treatment of HIV/AIDS is a critical
issue. However, expensive treatment is beyond the reach of most patients in developing countries.
There still are many barriers standing in the way of most patients to get effective and affordable
medicines. It is utterly unfair. With the current trend of lowering pharmaceutical prices in the
international market, the United Nations is expected to cooperate closely with the rest of
international community to promote the solution of treatment of HIV/AIDS patients in developing
countries, in order to benefit the vast number of patients.”
-
“The international community should
adopt both good measures in light of current issues and long-term control and prevention strategies.
Vaccination against HIV/AIDS, which is a measure for thorough control of HIV/AIDS and more
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