A report by an authoritative organization stated that with the transmission of AIDS and venereal diseases from the high-risk population to the general population, Chinese youth are facing an increasing threat of getting AIDS.

The report “Chinese Youth Development (1995-2004)”, written by Chinese Youth Research Center and International Communication Department of CYLC Central Committee, stated that there was AIDS spreading in the areas of central China before 1995 due to non-standard and illegal blood collecting and its supply. These areas are now seeing the peak of AIDS infection rates, and deaths due to AIDS will come soon, mainly in the population of young adults.

Reports show that at the end of 2004, there were 840,000 people infected with AIDS. Of the infected people, 82% were between the ages of 20- 39, while children and adolescents 19 and younger comprise 7.4% of the infected population.

The Chinese government has strongly emphasized the importance of AIDS prevention campaigns, instituting and improving legislation aimed at preventing AIDS, as well as organizing work structures, and published “The plan for China AIDS prevention and control (1998-2010)” and “The Action Plan for AIDS control in China (2001-2005)”.

At present, the Chinese government has instituted 127 pilot AIDS control areas, to control the spread of AIDS in key areas, as well as the rest of the country.

Concurrently, China has strengthened its educational programs in the areas of sexual health, AIDS and STD awareness, blood transfusions, and drug abuse for adolescents. From 2003 spring onwards, middle and elementary schools in China have taught AIDS prevention, drug abuse prevention, and environmental awareness courses, and have entered into the permanent curriculum. In 2005, 100% of colleges and high schools have used “Prevent against AIDS” curriculum.

In addition, in this past year, China has increased its spending on AIDS-prevention work. In 2001, the amount used in AIDS prevention work was increased from 15 million RMB to 100 million RMB, and the amount was increased again in 2003 to 390 million RMB. Between the years of 2003 and 2004, the central Chinese government spent a total of 1.2 billion RMB on direct AIDS-prevention work. China plans on spending a total of 3.86 billion RMB on such AIDS-prevention campaigns between the years of 2005-2007 to enhance and promote AIDS prevention work.

-Translated by Jenny Zhang (Princeton University ‘08)

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