China issues guidelines on tackling HIV/AIDS
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-02-12 10:57

But UN and Chinese officials warned that the lower figure was due to an overestimate last time, and that there was by no means a slowdown in the growth of new infections.

Some of the points in the guidelines appear to address UN recommendations that China encourages people to get tested and provide free testing services as only 10 percent of its HIV carriers are believed to be aware they are infected.

While some heavily infected areas already provide free drugs and treatment, it was still not a nationwide practice.

In growing awareness that it cannot tackle the disease alone, the government said in the guidelines that neighborhood committees, village committees and "other relevant organizations" and individuals who promote AIDS-prevention awareness should receive encouragement and support.

NGO workers have been detained in the past and still must operate clandestinely on projects as harmless as delivering money and toys.

But in a sign the government is still uncomfortable with giving NGOs too much power, the guidelines do not spell out how local governments should support NGOs and what actions against them are not allowed.