HIV testing in China
There is still a large degree of irregularity in testing for HIV status in China. Some people - like foriegners living in China, workers in some service professions in some cities, and until recently those applying for a marriage permit - are required to be tested. After the surge in HIV infections in Henan, big efforts have been made to make voluntary testing available, but big irregularities exist. In general, it is never free, though the price varies from place to place. The tests are meant to be confidential, but often results leak out. Post-test counselling is rarely available. Quick tests for "self-testing" are available for sale online [see below], but health officials strongly advise against them.

The failure of the public health system to provide free (or affordable) testing, counselling, and treatment (or at least treatment information) has also affected the quality of HIV surveillance data in China. Sentinal Surveillance has been in place for nearly a decade, but because of a number of problems it appears to be producing unreliable - or incomplete - data on the epidemic. [see US-China joint CDC report]

For basic information on testing, test types, and a wide variety of other testing issues (including a cheap bulk purchase scheme for developing countries), see this WHO website.

Recently a number of websites have sprung up that provide an array of information about HIV/AIDS in China. Some also appear to have commercial motives, in particular selling the new rapid HIV tests for home use. See the following links (all in Chinese) and form your own conclusions:

NCAIDS (National Center for AIDS Prevention and Control) criticizes selling tests online and discourages self-testing [see article]

Individuals Should Not Test Themselves for HIV Virus with Rapid Test, Experts Say
[Chinanews.com, 11 March 2003]

Some Sites selling HIV and other tests online:
http://www.hometest.com.cn
http://www.hivcn.com
http://www.hivfind.com
http://www.aids120.com