On 12 February 2006, China's State Council announced a set of new and long-awaited regulations aimed at controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS in China. Below are some of the initial news coverage regarding these new regulations. Click here to view the full text of the regulation [translation coming soon]

New regulation shows greater resolve in AIDS control [Xinhua 12 February 2006]
China issues AIDS control statute [Xinhua 12 February 2006]
China issues AIDS control statute, defining duties of governments, patients [Xinhua 12 February 2006]
Rights of HIV/AIDS patients spelt out [China Daily 13 February 2006]
China bans discrimination against AIDS sufferers [Reuters 12 February 2006]

China encourages supporting relevant organizations and individuals to participate in HIV/AIDS prevention work [Central Government Website / Xinhua 12 February 2006]
Chinese government stipulates against discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS’s right to marriage [China News Service 12 February 2006]
China will launch drug preservation treatment for drug users [Central Government Website / Xinhua 12 February 2006]
Regulations require HIV/AIDS prevention knowledge to be incorporated into university and high school curriculum [Central Government Website / Xinhua 12 February 2006]
Government agencies not promoting HIV/AIDS awareness will be penalized [Central Government Website / Xinhua 12 February 2006]
No government agency allowed to publicly reveal HIV positive carrier or AIDS patient information [Central Government Website / Xinhua 12 February 2006]
People living with HIV/AIDS and their families have their legal rights protected [Central Government Website / Xinhua 12 February 2006]
Public spaces which do not distribute condoms or have condom vending machines available will be penalized [Central Government Website / Xinhua 12 February 2006]
Health service departments cannot turn away people living with HIV/AIDS from receiving treatment [Xinhua 12 February 2006]

The debate over whether these new regulations can be effective has already begun. Given the reluctance of many local governments to implement more progressive central government policies on HIV/AIDS, it is almost certain that these new policies will not be immediately implemented. Below is some of the public commentary already posted regarding these new regulations [Chinese only]

http://www.chinamsg.org/bbs/dispbbs.asp?boardID=37&ID=1727&page=1 [Mangrove Support Group]

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