China HIV/AIDS Chronology

1985
6 June 1985
China announced its first AIDS-related death. The Public Health Ministry (MOH) stated that an Argentine tourist from the United States "died of severe lung infection and respiratory failure" on 6 June 1985 at the Peking Union College Hospital. "According to his family, the patient was diagnosed in the United States as having contracted AIDS," the ministry office said.
––“China Says Argentine Died of AIDS,” New York Times, 30 July 1985, p. 5; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 June 1985, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

3 September 1985
China's Ministry of Health announced that China has banned all blood products from entering China, except for a small quantity of human serum albumin. This action was done to prevent AIDS from entering China.
––“China Bans Import of Blood Products," Xinhua, 3 September 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 September 1985, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

9 October 1985
China's Disease Prevention Center in Beijing reported that out of 310 AIDS exams conducted in eight provinces, no cases of HIV were reported.
––“China on guard Against AIDS," United Press International, 9 October 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 October 1985, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

29 November 1985
The Guangming Daily reported that the central government should ban homosexuality, require blood tests for all foreigners and ban the importation of all blood products in China except for limited amounts of plasma globulin. The recommendations were made to stop AIDS from entering China.
––"China Calls for Sexual Restraint to Prevent AIDS," Associated Press, 2 December 1985; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 December 1985, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1986
25 August 1986
Citing that the old laws are no long adequate under the "Opening Up Policy," the Chinese government is expected to pass a law requiring all foreigners who plan to stay within China for six months or more, to undergo medical exams for HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. "It is intended to prevent infectious diseases from spreading both inside and outside China from seaports, airports, and exit and entry stations along borders," reported China Daily.
––"China Preparing Quarantine Law Aimed at AIDS," United Press International, 25 August 1986; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 August 1986, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

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.

20 October 1986
China’s Heath Ministry announced it is creating China’s first AIDS prevention team. Xinhua reported that the ministry will establish a “team of 13 medical experts on virology, epidemiology and the combination of Western and traditional Chinese medicine to monitor worldwide AIDS developments and prevent the disease in China.”
––“China sets up AIDS Prevention Team,” United Press International, 20 October 1986; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 October 1986, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

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22 October 1986
China Daily has reported that four Chinese have been confirmed to be HIV positive. They were reportedly infected after “being injected with imported medication.” “The official press has called for a crackdown on 'sexual liberalization' and homosexuality to prevent the spread of the disease.” Western observers note that this is the first time the Chinese government has reported its own citizens being HIV positive.
––“Four Chinese Found to Carry AIDS,” Associated Press, 22 October 1986; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 October 1986, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

24 October 1986
No one on the Chinese mainland has been found to be suffering from AIDS, said Cao Qing, leader of a AIDS investigating team. Cao noted that four Chinese hemophiliacs were found to be HIV positive after receiving blood products imported from the United States. The four patients are said not to be suffering any symptoms.
––“China has not yet Discovered AIDS Patients," Xinhua, 24 October 1986; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 October 1986, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

21 December 1986
During a recent venereal disease conference in Nanjing, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported it has recorded its first cases of venereal diseases (VD) in 22 years. Although the report cited two specific cases, the MOH did not give any statistics on the number of cases which have been found thus far. In order to combat the problem, the MOH has established the National Venereal Disease Prevention Consultative Committee and set up VD testing centers in Beijing, Shanghai and other major cities, the Xinmin Evening News reported.
––"China Reports first VD Cases in 22 Years," United Press International, 21 December 1986; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 December 1986, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1987
7 February 1987
China reported its first AIDS-related death of a Chinese person contracting AIDS in China. The victim was a 13-year-old hemophiliac boy who contracted AIDS from imported blood products.
––"AIDS Virus-Infected Patients Taken Good Care of," Xinhua, 7 December 1987; n Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 December 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

4 February 1987
In a commentary on the "decadent" American society, the Peking Review stated that "rampant disastrous drug taking, alcoholism, robbery, homicide, suicide, divorce, prostitution, homosexuality, syphilis, AIDS, and other social ills...come from their ideology."
––Donna Anderson, "Peking Daily Cautions Against Western Threats of AIDS, Drugs," Associated Press, 4 February 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 February 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

March 1987
China reported its third AIDS-related death, a resident of Fujian province who had lived in Hong Kong and New York for 15 years.
––Daniel Southerland, "China Stars AIDS Tests for Foreign Residents," Washington Post, 2 May 1987, p. A3; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 May 987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

19 March 1987
The city of Shenzhen has established a monitoring station for the prevention and control of venereal diseases, one of ten set up around China. Tourism is seen as a potential method of entry for venereal diseases and AIDS. According to China News, "with the development of tourism in our country, the sources of contagion by venereal diseases brought into China by foreign visitors are increasing."
––"Unit to Monitor Venereal Disease Set up in Shenzhen; Fear of AIDS via Tourism," BBC, 19 March 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 March 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

2 May 1987
China's Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that all foreigners who intend on living in China for a year or more are required to obtain a physician's certificate showing that they are HIV negative. China began testing some students and foreign businessmen last year.
––Daniel Southerland, "China Starts AIDS Tests for Foreign Residents," Washington Post, 2 May 1987, p. A3; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 May 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

4 May 1987
Under China's new Frontier Health and Quarantine Law, Shanghai has set up monitoring stations in "hotels, restaurants and tourist and medical facilities to offer physical check-ups, blood tests and 'other tests necessary to isolate AIDS,'" Xinhua reported. Out of 900,000 people that passed through Shanghai last year, health officials found about 100 cases of infectious diseases. The official added, "to date we have found no AIDS carriers entering the city."
––"Shanghai sets up Stations to Check Visitors for AIDS," United Press International, 4 May 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 May 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

18 June 1987
During an interview with China's Health News, Cao Qing, China's anti-AIDS leader, urged stricter regulations on the importing of foreign blood products. Even though the central government placed a ban on all imports of foreign blood in September 1984, port officials at Dalian found that 60,000 units of gamma globulin imported in 1985 tested positive for HIV.
––“Stricter Control Urged Over Imported Blood Products," Xinhua, 18 June 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 June 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

22 July 1987
According to Minister of Health Chen Minzhang, HIV/AIDS in China can be checked because homosexuality and promiscuity, "which is how the disease is spread," are limited in China, the China Youth News reported. Chen believes the AIDS virus can be kept out of China because of the ban on foreign blood imports, and any foreigner who wants to stay in China for a year or more must prove to be HIV-negative. He did acknowledge that illegal importing of blood and the lack of disposable syringes, and Chinese women having illegal sex with foreigners could spread the disease in China. Chen urged moral and sex education for young people, the establishment of a reporting system to track AIDS, and better sampling of blood serum (HIV tests) should be implemented to help keep the AIDS rate at a minimum.
––"AIDS can be Checked in China - Experts," Xinhua, 22 July 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 May 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

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10 August 1987
The Beijing Review reported that AIDS is unlikely to occur because "homosexuality and casual sex are illegal and contrary to Chinese morality." According to China's Health Minister Chen Minzhang, about 7,000 people have been tested for AIDS in China. These are relatives and people who came in contact with China's four confirmed HIV cases, four hemophiliacs from Zhejiang. Also reported was that seven Chinese traditional medicine specialists will study HIV/AIDS at Harvard University.
––"AIDS Unlikely to Spread In China Magazine Says," Toronto Star, 10 August 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 August 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

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.

27 September 1987
Although China has implemented measures to control the spread of HIV/AIDS in China, medical experts said it is necessary for China to "strengthen popular education about AIDS, seriously carry out prevention measures and establish a system for checking the spread of AIDS," reported the Beijing Review. The article said to date China has adopted several regulations and measures to fight AIDS:

publicize knowledge about AIDS, including methods of transmission and symptoms;
forbid any AIDS carrier from entering China;
require all foreigners who plan to stay in China to prove by medical exam they are HIV-negative;
ban the import of blood or blood products, and second-hand clothing;
forbid sexual contact with foreigners;
require all medical departments to dispose of any medical equipment and medical devices used on foreign patients.

Chinese medical experts believe the spread of AIDS will be limited in China because homosexuality, promiscuity, and drug abuse are illegal and not tolerated in Chinese society.
––"China Makes Efforts to Prevent AIDS," Xinhua, 27 September 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 27 September 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

29 September 1987
Ministry of Health (MOH) officials announced they plan to enforce Article 30 of the Regulations on Public Order to prevent the spread of AIDS in China. Article 30 states, "Prostitution, whoring following an introduction, abetting prostitution, and whoring are strictly forbidden and offenders face a maximum 15 days detention, a warning, re-education and a maximum fine of 5,000 yuan (1,350 USD)."
––Jane McCartney, "Chinese Authorities Ban Sex with Foreigners to Stop AIDS," United Press International, 29 September 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 September 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

28 October 1987
The mayors of Chongqing, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Shenyang have declared their cities AIDS free. To date China has recorded six HIV cases: an Argentine tourist, a Chinese man who contracted HIV while living in the West and four hemophiliacs from Zhejiang province, of which one has died.
––"Four major Chinese Cities say They are AIDS Free," Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 28 October 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 October 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

9 December 1987
The Canadian Embassy reported that a Canadian woman who died from AIDS may have been infected from a acupuncture treatment she received about 20 months before. According to the Health and Welfare Canada, she did not belong to any high risk group. To date, China as reported three AIDS-related deaths: Argentine tourist, Chinese man infected while living in the Untied States, and a 13-year-old hemophiliac. According to Chinese health officials there have been no cases of AIDS being transmitted in China. Chinese officials dismiss the report as "medically unsound."
––"Embassy Says Canadian Died From AIDS after Acupuncture Treatment," Associated Press, 9 December 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 December 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "Doctor Refutes Report of Acupuncture-Transmitted AIDS," Xinhua, 10 December 1987; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 December 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

22 December 1987
Since 1985, Qi Xiaoqiu, a senior official in the Department of Epidemic Prevention under the Ministry of Public Health states that since 1985 there have been 11 reported cases of HIV/AIDS in China, of which three have died. All but four of the 11 cases involved foreigners.
––Edward A. Gargan, "China Taking Stringent Steps to Prevent the Entry of AIDS," New York Times, 22 December 1987, p. A1; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 December 1987, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1988
14 January 1988
While announcing the release of "Several Regulations on the Detection and Control of AIDS," He Jiesheng, Vice-Minister of Health, remarked that following the Opening Up Policy and expanding contacts with foreigners, China is open to the possibility of an AIDS epidemic. China began testing for HIV in 1984, and to date only three HIV/AIDS cases have been discovered in China, two were tourists and one was an overseas Chinese. In testing foreigners who planned to live in China for over a year, seven were found to have HIV/AIDS and were sent home. In testing of imported blood products, four Chinese nationals were found to be HIV-positive. The "Several Regulations on the Detection and Control of AIDS" is China's first national set of regulations on the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. "It defines in detail those to be tested; implementation plans for AIDS detection, control and prevention; and how to report on AIDS epidemic and its control," Xinhua reported. The new regulations state:

All people entering China must fill out a health questionnaire;
People intending to live one year or more must provide an approved AIDS test;
Chinese nationals who have lived abroad for more than one year must be tested upon return to China; and
No one is permitted to import blood, blood products, organisms and animals possibly contaminated with the AIDS virus.

He Jiesheng, Vice Minister of China’s Health Ministry said, “These regulations are China’s first designed to prevent an AIDS epidemic.”
––"Prevention of AIDS is Important Because of Open Policy," Xinhua, 14 January 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 January 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com; ––“China Issues Regulations on AIDS,” Xinhua, 14 January 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 January 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

22 January 1988
Zeng Yi, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medical Sciences said that the three AIDS cases found in China were either foreigners or returning overseas Chinese. “Investigations have shown that China has no sources for the dread disease Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.”
––"Scientist Says China has No AIDS 'Sources,'" Xinhua, 22 January 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 January 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

28 January 1988
Zeng Yi, Deputy Director of the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine reported that all blood products manufactured by the Changchun Institute of Biological Products in Jilin province were free from the AIDS virus. The tests examined 51 batches of albumin, 63 batches of immune globulin, 40 batches of hepatitis B vaccine and two batches of factor VII vaccine. Furthermore, 3,700 potential blood donors in Changchun were also shown to be free from the AIDS virus.
––"Changchun's Blood Products Free from AIDS Virus," Xinhua, 28 January 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 January 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

29 January 1988
Zeng Yi, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medical Sciences called for the suppression of prostitution and introducing regular blood testing to protect China from the AIDS epidemic. Zeng said AIDS entered China through two channels: one channel was through contaminated bloods products, and the second is through casual sex with the increasing numbers of foreigners entering China. Since China has banned imported blood products, the "most likely way of contracting the acquired immune deficiency syndrome is through casual behavior, according to Zeng Yi," reported Xinhua. The high cost associated with wide-spread blood testing has been dramatically reduced when China produced its own HIV antigen used in testing for HIV exposure. China has also set up a nationwide network to supervise the spread of the disease, and to establish contacts with HIV/AIDS experts in France, Germany, Japan and the United States.
––“China Steps Up Anti-AIDS Measures," Xinhua, 29 January 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 January 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

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.

5 March 1988
Zeng Yi, chief of the only Chinese AIDS research program stated, “It’s a foreign threat. The only way for AIDS to come into China is from foreigners.”
––David R. Schweisbeg, “China and AIDS: China begins to grapple with AIDS,” United Press International, 5 March 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 March 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

15 March 1988
Couples in Shanghai will need to pass physical exams to receive a marriage license from the local government. Sources say the exam will include an HIV/AIDS test, as well as for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
––"Shanghai to require Marriage-Minded to Pass Physical Exams," Ashai News Service (Japan), 15 March 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 15 March 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

28 May 1988
China has established the first non-governmental AIDS foundation to “raise funds for research and prevention.” The AIDS Research Foundation of China (ARFC) will be directed by Chen Chunming, President of the Chinese Academy of Preventative Medicine. Only three confirmed AIDS related deaths have been reported in China: an Argentine tourist, a Chinese man who spent time in the United States, and a 13 year-old hemophiliac boy who was “infected by a blood product imported from the United States.” The ARFC will be based in Beijing and will also hold academic meetings, train medical technicians and promote exchanges of information with researchers from around the world. A branch office will also be set up in Hong Kong to coordinate overseas relations and fund-raising activities.
––“China Established AIDS Foundation,” Associated Press, 28 May 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 May 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "AIDS Research Foundation Set up in China," Xinhua, 28 May 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 May 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

31 May 1988
China has established the National Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, with a total of 16 surveillance stations set up around China under its control, reported China Daily. Also, China has established HIV/AIDS surveillance stations in eight major Chinese cities. To date 26,000 HIV tests have been carried out since 1984.
––"China Acts Up to Crackdown on Sexually Transmitted Diseases," Xinhua, 31 May 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 May 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.

24 August 1988
Zeng Yi Vice-President of the China Institute of Preventive Medicine said to date no AIDS sufferers has been found in China. Out of 30,000 blood samples tested, only 14 cases were positive. Of these samples, 10 were from foreigners, and four were from Chinese hemophiliacs who received tainted blood products from overseas.
––"AIDS Prevention," Zhongguo Xinwen She (Beijing), 24 August 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 September 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

25 November 1988
Shanghai health officials reported that a foreigner was found to be carrying the AIDS virus. He was tested as part of a program to test all foreigners who plan to live in China for a year, returned Chinese from abroad, and Chinese patients who might have used imported blood products.
––"Shanghai Finds Foreign AIDS Virus Carrier," Xinhua, 25 November 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 November 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

28 November 1988
Chinese health officials acknowledged that seven Chinese citizens are infected with the AIDS virus and 14 foreigners also were carrying the virus. These results where given after health authorities tested 67,200 people for HIV/AIDS. Ye Guanyun, a venereal disease expert at the Ministry of Public Health (MOH) reported that venereal disease cases are increasing at an annual rate of 300 percent, specifically in the coastal cities.
––"China Acknowledges 21 Cases of AIDS," United Press International, 28 November 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 November 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1 December 1988
During an event marking the first World AIDS Day, Zeng Yi, Deputy Director of the AIDS Prevention Department of the Ministry of Public Health (MOH) reports there have only been seven recorded cases of Chinese citizens being infected with HIV/AIDS. However, since 1985, three foreign AIDS sufferers and 11 foreign HIV carriers have been found in China. Health News reported the most threatening channels for AIDS to enter China are from prostitution and promiscuous sex with foreigners. Guangming Daily said, "AIDS can be controlled and even stamped out if we insist on monogamy and put an end to extra-marital sexual behavior."
––"China Playing its Part in World Anti-AIDS Battle," Xinhua, 1 December 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

6 December 1988
An AIDS monitoring center has been set up in Wuhan, Hubei province and has begun testing throughout the province. Last October, Wuhan discovered its first HIV/AIDS case, a foreign student.
––"AIDS Monitoring Network Set Up in Hubei Province," Xinhua, 6 December 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 December 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

27 December 1988
Members of the National People's Congress (NPC) called for an early enactment of China's draft law on prevention of infectious diseases. According to the law, infectious diseases are placed into three categories calling for varying degrees of restrictions. Diseases such as the plague and cholera are listed in the first category and are the most restrictive. HIV/AIDS is placed in the second group along with hepatitis and syphillis. This decision was based on the fact that "no full-fledged AIDS cases have been discovered among Chinese mainlanders and that AIDS is not easily transmitted and spreads relatively slowly," said health Minister Chen Minzhang. NPC member Yang Lieyu suggested that more emphasis should be placed on health education in preventing AIDS.
––"Stricter Monitoring of AIDS Urged," Xinhua, 27 December 1988; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 27 December 1988, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1989
22 February 1989
Sun Xinhua of the Ministry of Public Health (MOH) announced a new law that authorizes health officials to test any Chinese citizen deemed at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. MOH officials have already begun testing Chinese citizens in Beijing, Shanghai, Canton and other major cities whose job brings them in close contact with foreigners. Sun said that under the new law, "if local authorities want someone tested, he must be tested. He has no right to refuse." He added, "If any Chinese is found to be an AIDS sufferer, he will be quarantined and will not be allowed to continue working or going to school." To date China has emphasized creating barriers to the AIDS virus, rather than testing its own people. The new law also covers 34 other infectious diseases including the plague and cholera.
––Kathy Wilhem, "Law Gives China Broad AIDS-Testing Authority," Associated Press, 22 February 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 February 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

25 February 1989
Cao Qing, head of China's AIDS Prevention team announced that China will soon set up an AIDS Research Center which will study the use of traditional Chinese Medicine in the treatment of AIDS. Official statistics show only 22 people have been found to have the AIDS virus, of which only four were Chinese nationals and one has died.
––"China to Establish 'Traditional Medicine' AIDS Research Center," Xinhua, 25 February 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 February 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

31 March 1989
China's first films dealing with AIDS have been playing to full houses in Shenyang city. Many schools, factories and government offices have rented the movies to show to their students and employees. The two films, one a popular science film named "AIDS," has been advertised under the Chinese characters for "Super Caner." The other a feature film named the "AIDS Patients," has been advertised as "Pornographic Pestilence." The feature film shows the destinies of three young Chinese AIDS victims after they have sexual relations with a foreign teacher.
––"'Controversial' AIDS Film Fills Cinemas," Xinhua, 31 March 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 March 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

10 April 1989
Dai Zhicheng, an official from the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported the number of sexually transmitted diseases has risen to 140,000 cases over the last nine years, and 56,090 in 1988 alone. To date there have only been 22 HIV cases reported in China.
––"Incidence of Infectious Diseases Down in China,' Xinhua, 10 April 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 April 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

26 April 1989
The Guangzhou based Nanfang Daily reported that a blood product made in Spain tested positive for the AIDS virus. The r-globulin, labeled as gamma biomar was originally purchased in Macau, and brought into China. Chinese health officials are asking anyone who might have taken this product to be tested for HIV/AIDS as soon as possible.
––"Product Test Reveals AIDS," Xinhua, 26 April 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26 April 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

5 August 1989
While addressing a national seminar on AIDS Policy held in Beijing, Minister of Health Chen Minzhang reported China has 25 cases of HIV infections, three of which have developed AIDS. However, the total number of sexually transmitted disease (STDs) cases reached 160,000.
––"China Emphasizes Prevention and Monitoring of AIDS," Xinhua, 5 August 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 August 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1 November 1989
China has identified its first confirmed indigenous HIV case. Cao Qing, Vice Director of the Department of Epidemic Prevention in the public Health Ministry said the man, a former shop assistant in Beijing, “was detained for committing homosexual acts, a crime in China.” China has said that none of the 25 confirmed HIV cases originated on the mainland. To date, one Chinese citizen has died from HIV/AIDS, which he received while he was in the United States. Four Chinese died of AIDS in Hangzhou. These were related to “transfusions with imported blood.”
––“China Discovers First AIDS Virus Carrier,” Associated Press, 1 November 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 November 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

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.

1 December 1989
During a symposium on AIDS prevention, Chinese health experts called on the central government to "widen supervision and set up consulting centers; to use disposable hypodermic syringes; and to publicly disseminate information on AIDS," reported Xinhua. Ministry of Health (MOH) officials reported that China has a total of 32 HIV/AIDS cases, of which six were Chinese. Among the Chinese, four had been infected through tainted blood products, one from engaging in homosexual activities and one who has recently returned from Africa. Chinese officials also note that the number of sexually transmitted diseases has risen 105.16 percent in the first of half of this year compared to the same period last year. There have been a total of 204,077 STD cases in China since the early 1980s, of which 134,691 were male and 69,386 were female. So far, 140,000 people in China have been tested for HIV/AIDS.
––“Public Warned to be on Guard Against AIDS," Xinhua, 1 December 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "VD Cases Multiply in China," Xinhua, 2 December 1989; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 December 1989, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1990
3 January 1990
Chinese officials have reported that they will increase their surveillance of China's high-risk groups, including drug addicts, reported Heath News. Over the past few years, Chinese health authorities have monitored over 148,000 people, including Chinese who have returned from abroad, venereal disease patients, blood donors, foreigners, homosexuals, prostitutes and their clients.
––"Risk Groups to be Eyes for AIDS," Xinhua, 3 January 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 January 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

7 February 1990
The Ministry of Public Health (MOH) reported that by the end of 1989, the number of HIV cases in China has risen to 194, of which three foreigners had developed AIDS. Minister of Public Health Dai Zhicheng said of those infected, 153 were from mainland China and 41 were foreigners. The sharp increase is due to HIV testing among drug users in Yunnan province. These tests revealed 146 cases of HIV infection in Yunnan. This is the first time China has traced HIV/AIDS cases among drug users in remote areas. HIV/AIDS has now been reported in 10 provinces and regions. "The situation shows that AIDS has not only arrived in China, but is also spreading fast," said Dai.
––"China Reports 194 Infected by AIDS Virus," Xinhua, 7 February 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 February 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

10 February 1990
Speaking at a round-table on AIDS prevention, Zhen Xiwen, Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Preventative Medical Science said an AIDS epidemic falls into three stages: 1) the infection of the virus; 2) the spreading of the virus; and 3) the disaster caused by the disease to the economy, culture and the society as a whole by the virus. Experts at the meeting gave several recommendations:

Since HIV/AIDS is primarily transmitted through blood, the central government should establish a nation-wide monitoring agency as soon as possible, and each blood donor should be carefully examined.
The central government should pass laws and regulations on the prevention of AIDS.
Since it is not possible to have all medical facilities convert to disposable syringes, medical personnel should trained on proper sterilization techniques.
Education and awareness should be provided to eliminate drug addiction and abnormal sex behavior, such as homosexuality.

––"Specialists Call for Control of AIDS at Early Stage," Xinhua, 10 February 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 February 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1 March 1990
Dai Zhicheng, Director of Epidemic Prevention at the Ministry of Public Health announced the formation of the National AIDS Committee (NAC). Headed by Vice-Minister of Public Health He Jiesheng, the NAC will be responsible for drafting China's policies and plans for AIDS prevention and control and to control various activities in this effort. China listed AIDS as one of its infectious diseases in 1986, and in 1987 it formulated its National Program on AIDS Prevention. According to health officials, 50 HIV test facilities have been set up throughout China, and two confirmatory test labs have been established in Beijing and China. Together, this forms China's national AIDS monitoring and reporting network.

Chinese health officials and the World Health Organization (WHO) have drafted China's first National Plan to Prevent and Control AIDS over the next three years. The medium and long term objectives and strategies include "professional training and surveillance on and research into the disease. Efforts will be made to five priorities to prevention of AIDS transmission through sex, blood and prenatal care, as well as to increase surveillance of high-risk groups and promote education and awareness."
––"China Sets Up National AIDS Committee," Xinhua, 1 March 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 March 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "China Drafting three-year Plan to Combat AIDS," Xinhua, 1 March 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 March 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

2 March 1990
Yunnan health officials placed 146 AIDS patients in local quarantine for medical care according to the Ministry of Health (MOH). Dai Zhicheng, Director of the Epidemic Prevention Department for the Ministry of Health said that when 1,000 registered heroin users were tested for HIV, 146 were discovered to be HIV positive. "Dai said the discovery took China's health authorities by surprise and created a new challenge for the country's AIDS prevention and control strategy," reported Xinhua.
––"Yunnan AIDS Carriers Quarantined," Xinhua, 2 March 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 March 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

12 April 1990
A HIV/AIDS Medical facility that specializes in using traditional Chinese medicine has been set up in Harbin, Heilongjiang. Head physician Huang Binshan and some US doctors have claimed some success in treating 181 AIDS patients.
––"Center for AIDS Patients," Xinhua, 12 April 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 April 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

20 June 1990
China attended the 6th International Conference on HIV/AIDS held in San Francisco, California and hosted by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Several countries and organizations threatened to boycott the conference because of the US policy of barring any person infected with HIV/AIDS to enter the country. The United States later relented and said it would issue 10-day visas to people who wanted to enter the Untied States for professional or scientific purposes. According to Xinhua, nearly 500 demonstrators "many of them homosexuals, walked down San Francisco to protest the US immigration policies and what they called 'complete lack of government response' to the epidemic." Xinhua also wrote that "nearly 90 percent of adult US victims are male homosexuals or intravenous drug users or a combination of both."
––"International AIDS Meeting to Open in San Francisco," Xinhua, 20 June 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 June 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

17 July 1990
Chinese officials reported they have discovered another 91 HIV cases along China's border with the "Golden Triangle," reported China Daily. He Jiesheng, Vice-Minister of Public Health said the 91 victims were infected through "communal use of contaminated syringes for intravenous injections." To date China has 305 cases of HIV, including Chinese nationals and foreigners.
––"Ninety-One More Drug Addicts Found Infected with AIDS," Associated Press, 17 July 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 17 July 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

18 October 1990
The Ministry of Public Health stated, “The spread of AIDS has become relatively serious in our country.” From 1985 to the present, a total of 446 cases have been confirmed HIV positive and five (two Chinese citizens and three from outside China) have progressed to AIDS. Of the 446 cases, 378 are Chinese citizens and 68 are from outside China. Of the 378 Chinese citizens, 368 are from Yunnan and all are related to the sharing of needles. The Ministry of Public Health has established three HIV/AIDS testing laboratories, thus beginning a monitoring network.
––“AIDS Problem ‘relatively serious,’” Xinhua, 18 October 2001 in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 October 2001, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

20 October 1990
Dr. Qi Xiaoqiu of the Epidemic Prevention Department of the Health Ministry reported that 378 Chinese nationals have tested positive for HIV. “All but 10 of the 378 were from the southwest Chinese province of Yunnan, which borders the drug-producing Golden Triangle.” All of these AIDS victims “said they were drug addicts who injected heroin.” Before last year, the only Chinese that tested positive for the AIDS virus were four hemophiliacs infected by tainted blood products from abroad. To date four Chinese have died of AIDS.
––Charlene L. Fu, “134 New AIDS Cases Reported in China,” Associated Press, 20 October 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 October 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

3 November 1990
China announced the death of two Chinese men from AIDS. One of these men was a drug addict from Yunnan, and the other was a Beijing resident who contracted HIV through sexual intercourse while traveling abroad. Since 1985, China has confirmed that 446 people have contracted the AIDS virus, of which 378 are Chinese. Some 368 of the Chinese carriers are from Yunnan.
––"China Announces Two Deaths," Toronto Star, 3 November 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 November 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

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.

16 November 1990
Earlier this year, over 200,000 visitors attended an exhibition in Beijing on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) hosted by the Beijing Municipal Health Education Institute (BMHEI). Shan Guangnai, Deputy Research Fellow with the sociological institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said, "The best defense against AIDS is information. Only after people fully understand the seriousness of the disease can they do their utmost to protect themselves and others."
––"Prevention, Still Only Cure for AIDS," Xinhua, 16 November 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 November 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

29 November 1990
Xinhua has reported that two sexually transmitted cases of HIV/AIDS have been confirmed in Yunnan. “Both cases are women and they became infected by their husbands who had been exposed to the virus by communal use of contaminated syringes.”
––“Two HIV Cases Detected in Yunnan,” Xinhua. 29 November 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 November 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

29 November 1990
The following interview was broadcasted on China Central Television (CCTV): A narrator started by saying ''AIDS was introduced into our country in the early 1980s. In recent years, the disease has become widespread to a relatively serious extent, and has become a severe epidemic in certain localities.'' Then followed an interview with the Public Health Minister Chen Minzhang. [Full Text]
––“Health Officials on Measure to Control the Spread of AIDS,” China Central Television, 29 November 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 November 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1 December 1990
To mark the third annual World AIDS Day, health officials passed out a 90-page pamphlet entitled "AIDS." Also, some 600 grassroots doctors gathered in Beijing to participate in China's first in-service training class concerning the prevention and treatment of AIDS. Since 1985, 446 HIV cases have been reported, of which five have developed full-blown AIDS. Although the incidence of HIV/AIDS is sill quite low, "the Chinese government has confronted the hovering shadow of AIDS and along with the world health organization (WHO) has prepared a medium term program for its control, which has been reviewed in draft form and will be finalized shortly," said Roy Morey, resident representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in China.
––“China Commemorates World AIDS Day," Xinhua, 1 December 1990; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1990, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1991
1 March 1991
Speaking at a national meeting on AIDS monitoring and testing, a senior Ministry of Health (MOH) official reported in the past five years, China has tested some 400,000 blood samples to monitor AIDS in China. As of last September China has confirmed 446 HIV cases, of which five have developed AIDS (two were Chinese nationals). The number of HIV/AIDS cases is distributed over 11 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. Dai Zhicheng announced that China would step up its AIDS monitoring efforts in the special economic zones, coastal cities and tourism areas. The coastal province of Guangdong has reported nine HIV cases of which eight were overseas visitors, and the one Chinese case was infected with the AIDS virus during a trip overseas.
––“China Steps up AIDS Monitoring," Xinhua, 1 March 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 March 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

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.

21 March 1991
The number of border quarantine stations have increased to 151, which employ over 3,000 personnel. China's original border quarantine control system was established in 1973. However, due to China's "opening up," the "Border Quarantine Law" was published in 1986. The National Office for Border Control was opened in 1988, and the Ministry of Health (MOH) published details of the law in 1989. In the past few years, these stations have reported 45,000 cases of infectious diseases, of which 128 were HIV cases and two were AIDS cases. The stations also discovered 1,208 cases of venereal diseases, along with several cases of hepatitis, cholera, malaria, and pulmonary tuberculosis.
––“China Has Set up 151 Border Quarantine Stations," Xinhua, 21 March 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 March 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

21 May 1991
Yin Dakui, Director of the Sichuan Provincial Public Health Department announced Sichuan's first registered HIV case, a middle-aged male laborer who returned from overseas in early April.
––“First HIV-Positive Case Found in Sichuan," China Press, 12 May 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 March 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

14 June 1991
Several farmers in two of Beijing's agricultural districts tore up and burned prints of oil paintings because they believed the pictures contained the AIDS virus, reported Beijing Daily. After a rumor that an unnamed publishing company was spreading AIDS, "some farmers who did not understand the true situation were scared of being infected and many tore from wall or burned the oil paintings," the paper reported.
––"Chinese Farmers Thought AIDS Spread by Paintings," Agence France Presse, 14 June 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 June 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

25 June 1991
In an article of the global impact of HIV/AIDS, the Los Angeles Times reported that China’s HIV infection total is estimated at 20,000.
––Robert Steinbrook, “Speaking of AIDS,” Los Angeles's Times, 25 June 1991, p. 8.

22 July 1991
At a national seminar on AIDS prevention and control in Kunming, Yunnan, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said along with increasing international contacts and the development of tourism, China is faced with a growing threat of AIDS. Since 1985, China has confirmed 493 HIV cases, of which five had developed AIDS. Statistics show that blood transfusion and sexual activities are the main methods of HIV transmission, however, no case of mother-to-infant transmission has been recorded. Since China reported its first HIV/AIDS case, it has taken the following steps to prevent AIDS in China:

1986 - The Ministry of Public Heath established the AIDS Prevention and Control Group. Shortly thereafter, the Group set up a series of programs related to awareness, education and testing, as well as professional training and development.
1989 - China passed the "Law to Prevent and Control Infectious Diseases," which AIDS, syphilis and gonorrhea were labeled as second grade infections.
1990 - China established the National AIDS Prevention and Control Commission along with a expert committee to guide and supervise the nation wide campaign against AIDS.

A official from the World Health Organization (WHO) stated, "China has an excellent county-town-village epidemic prevention system in rural areas, and that this factor will be of great importance in curbing the spread of the AIDS virus," reported Xinhua.
––“China Sets Up to Fight AIDS," Xinhua, 22 July 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 July 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

6 September 1991
The Ministry of Public Health (MOH) reported the number of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) decreased by 30 percent during the first half of 1991. An official from the MOH said the STD rate is now under control in China. He credits the crackdown on prostitution for this decline. MOH statistics show that over 40 percent of prostitutes arrested by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) carried some type of STD. During 1990, 44,117 cases of STD were reported to the MOH. The Ministry of Health called on "public health departments across the country to coordinate with public security departments to help prevent and treat STD," wrote Xinhua.
––“China Curbs Sexually Transmitted Diseases," Xinhua, 6 September 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 September 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

30 September 1991
Health News published an article describing the discrimination that HIV/AIDS patients face in China. It cited a case of a man from Hebei province. When he went to a local Hebei hospital, over half the patients moved out of the ward, and some called for his family to leave the area. In Guangzhou, nurses refused to take blood from HIV/AIDS patients. In Zhejiang province, a recent university graduate has been turned away by possible employers, and his parents have been ostracized. Some shop assistants have refused to accept money from HIV carriers fearing they could contract the virus from the money, reported the paper.
––“AIDS Carriers Suffer Doubly in China," Agence France Presse, 30 September 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 September 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

20 November 1991
Over 50 doctors, counselors, scholars and social workers from over 30 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, universities and other units attended a training program on AIDS counseling hosted by the Beijing-based National Health Education Institute (NHEI) and co-sponsored by the Ministry of Public Health (MOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The first of its kind in China, the program trained the participants to become experts in AIDS counseling and treatment in their local facilities and institutions. "Counseling is a good and useful way to provide people with correct information and knowledge about AIDS and to make them aware of the ways of HIV transmission," said Wan Yanhai, an assistant researcher from the NHEI.
––“Educate China to Fight AIDS," Xinhua, 20 November 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 20 November 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

23 November 1991
Shanghai announced the discovery of its first HIV case. The Liberation Daily reported that a 28-year-old Chinese woman tested positive after her finance from Hong Kong also tested positive during a pre-marital health exam. "Shanghai authorities expelled the businessman from China, immediately hospitalized his girlfriend and banned their marriage," the paper said. In 1990, Shanghai health authorities expelled an American homosexual who tested positive for the AIDS virus and disinfected the entire hotel where he was staying.
––“Shanghai Reports First Case of AIDS Virus," Agence France Presse, 23 November 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 November 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

30 November 1991
While addressing a AIDS forum to mark World AIDS Day, Minster of Public Health Chen Minzhang reported the number of HIV cases has risen to 615, of which eight had developed full-blown AIDS. Of the AIDS patients, three were Chinese nationals, of which one died in 1989 and one in July of this year. (122 cases were discovered in the first 11 months of 1991.) HIV cases have been reported in 15 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions, and cities. Chen noted most of the new infections were contracted through needle sharing in southwest China and Chinese who have returned from abroad in the coastal areas. Patients also include prostitutes and venereal disease patients from the larger cities. To date no mother-to-child transmission has been recorded.

Health experts list the areas in which China should strengthen prevention and control:

Prevent HIV/AIDS from entering China from neighboring countries.
Increase AIDS education and awareness among labor and service personnel who travel to counties with a high rate of HIV infections.
Crack down on illegal behavior, such as prostitution and drug abuse.
Standardize medical sterilization procedures.
Closely monitor expectant mothers to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

––“122 More AIDS Cases reported in China," Xinhua, 30 November 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 November 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "China Highly Concerned About AIDS," Xinhua, 30 November 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 November 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com; Fan You, "AIDS in China Spread Unabated," Guangming Ribao, 1 December 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 December 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com

30 November 1991
Guangdong health officials reported a total of 22 HIV cases, of which two have developed AIDS, and one had died since 1986. In the first 11 months of 1991, health officials discovered 13 of the 22 cases. Statistics show that of the 22 HIV/AIDS cases, all of them originated outside mainland China; 15 were foreigners and seven were local Chinese who were infected abroad. Of the two AIDS patients, one was Indonesian and died in a Guangdong hospital and one was from Hong Kong who was sent back last March. Of the 22 confirmed HIV cases, one was found in 1987, two in 1989, five in 1990 and 13 this year. Guangdong health officials have set up 36 AIDS monitoring stations across the province.
––"Guangdong Steps up Fight Against AIDS," Xinhua, 30 November 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 November 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

30 November 1991
China Daily reported the opening of Beijing first AIDS counseling center located in You'an Hospital. Yang Guanglu, a member for the Counseling Committee on Venereal Diseases with the Ministry of Public Health (MOH) and the Center's administrator, said the clinic aims to help provide accurate information about AIDS through literature and counseling on its transmission, symptoms and prevention. "Our first task is to provide information about AIDS," Yang said. The Clinic will also offer testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. He added the names, address and medical records will remain strictly confidential. "If an AIDS-infected person comes in, I will treat him myself," Yang acknowledged. "But if I couldn't do enough alone, I would have to study the case with doctors in the big hospitals in Beijing." The clinic currently has two beds designated for AIDS patients. Yang added, "Its impossible that we would have a large number of AIDS patients in a year or two." In Beijing, with 11 million residents, "the risk of infection is miniscule compared with large Western cities," he said.
––""Beijing Sets up AIDS Clinic," Xinhua, 30 November 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 November 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com; Pascale Trouillaud, "First AIDS Clinic Opens in Beijing," United Press International, 3 December 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 December 1991, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1992
17 March 1992
China's Ministry of Public Health reported there were 212 confirmed cases of HIV infection in 1991, of which 177 are Chinese residents. Three have developed AIDS, of which one is a Chinese national.
––"Infectious Disease Drops in China," Xinhua, 17 March 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 March 1992, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

9 April 1992
China's Health Education Institute announced the opening of an AIDS hotline in Beijing. They confirmed that all callers will be able to remain anonymous.
––"Beijing Opens 'AIDS Hotline,'" Xinhua, 9 April 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 April 1992, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

15 April 1992
The Hainan Provincial AIDS Control Association was established in Haikou today. Hainan province has one of China's 13 monitory centers, with five monitoring spots on the island. To date no cases of HIV have been reported, but two people were confirmed to have HIV after returning from aboard.
––"AIDS Control Association Established in Hainan," Xinhua, 15 April 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 15 April 1992,, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

9 May 1992
An editorial entitled "Drive Away the AIDS Phantom that has Entered China - Situation of Prevention and Cure of AIDS on Chinese Mainland," which was published in the Guangming Ribao, warns of the potential of an increased AIDS rate in China. The report noted that most AIDS cases in China now involve local residents rather than overseas infections. It said that although there has been no reported case of mother-infant transmission, four-fifths of China AIDS cases originated in Yunnan, most of which are related to needle sharing.

According to the article, the first step to be taken should be to increase AIDS surveillance. It said 12 types of people should be closely monitored: venereal disease patients, prostitutes, drug addicts, homosexuals, users of imported blood products, returned seaman, Chinese who work abroad, hotel staff and tour guides, residents of border areas and home towns of overseas Chinese, those who have close contact with AIDS patients or work in AIDS laboratories, foreign students, and blood, tissue and organ donors.

Recent propaganda efforts during the last five years have not been satisfactory because "even population groups with higher educational standards have limited knowledge about AIDS," and "one can only guess what limited knowledge the relatively poorly-educated rural population may have about AIDS," the article said.

The disadvantages China faces are China's vast potential number of AIDS patients; limited funds for AIDS prevention, control and research; a medical system which cannot afford to quarantine a large number of people; a large illiterate population, a wide variety of nationalities and languages, and traditional taboos about sex.
––Zeng Liming, "Drive Away the AIDS Phantom that has Entered China - Situation of Prevention and Cure of AIDS on Chinese Mainland," Guangming Ribao, 9 May 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 May 1992, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

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.

22 September 1992
During a regional AIDS conference on the effects AIDS has on development held in Kunming, Yunnan, He Jiesheng, Vice Minister of Public Health announced that China has 932 confirmed cases of HIV infection, of which 11 have full-blown AIDS (nine have died). The three day conference was attended by China, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macao, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and focused on how to increase regional cooperation on the fight against AIDS.
––"Seminar on AIDS Effects on Development Held in Kunming," Xinhua, 22 September 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 September 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "932 people Infected with AIDS in China," Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 23 September 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 September 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com

29 October 1992
The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported China has 148,000 registered drug users, twice the number in 1990. "Most of the verified HIV carriers were drug abusers in the southern province of Yunnan and contracted the virus by sharing needles," the report said. It also noted a recent survey of 5,000 drug addicts in Xi'an revealed that 90 percent of drug abusers were males under the age of 25.
––"China Battles Rising Tide of Drug Abuse," Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 29 October 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 July 1992, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

8 November 1992
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the spread of AIDS may be spreading throughout Asia at a rate equal to that of Africa during the early 1980s. Michael H. Merson, director of the WHO’s Global Program on AIDS, stated that the “AIDS epidemic was threatening Asian governments and healthcare systems and could, in some nations, wipe out the most productive elements of the labor force.” Some health experts believe that the number of Chinese infected with HIV/AIDS is much higher than the official estimate of approximately 1,000 cases because of the increase in intravenous drug use in China’s south west provinces.
––Phillip Shenon, “Edge of the Chasm: AIDS Comes to Asia,” New York Times, 8 November 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 8 November 1992, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

14 November 1992
Medical experts attending a recent AIDS conference advise that "publicity should be further expanded to spread scientific knowledge and help the public adopt healthy lifestyles, especially among some high-risk sectors of the population, such as drug addicts," reported China Daily. China has reported 148,000 registered drug users, and 890 HIV cases.
––"Medical Workers Call for Greater AIDS Awareness," Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 14 November 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 November 1992, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

23 November 1992
The National Health Education Institute's "AIDS Hotline" sponsored China's first AIDS awareness conference for gay men in an attempt to educated Beijing's gay population about HIV/AIDS. The conference was advertised throughout Beijing's gay meeting areas, but only 30 people showed up. China reports around 900 HIV carriers.
––Geoffrey Crothall, "Beijing Hosts China's First AIDS Summit for Gays," South China Morning Post, 23 November 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 November 1992, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1 December 1992
During a conference coinciding with World AIDS Day, Chen Minzhang, Minister of Public Health, announced that out of only two million Chinese tested, 969 have confirmed cases of HIV infection, 12 of which have developed into full-blown AIDS and nine of whom have died. Official statistics show that 74 percent of AIDS victims contracted the disease through drug abuse/ sharing of needles, and the rest through sexual intercourse. To date China has 148,000 registered drug users, and 360,000 people have tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Chen said China has begun to establish a national surveillance system for AIDS control.

According to a report in the Worker's Daily, China has yet to launch a national AIDS prevention campaign and "must adopt suitable measures including education and law enforcement to control the spread of prostitution, casual sex, drug use and other hideous trends in society." The Guangdong-based Yangcheng Evening News stated that the "human face of AIDS" must be addressed. It reported about a boy who was not allowed to attend primary school because he was the son of an HIV carrier. "After the government intervened, the school grudgingly relented but made the boy sit all alone in class," the paper reported.

Bernard Kern, Beijing representative of the United Nations (UN), stated, "For the last three years, WHO has urged that there is still time to act. That time is rapidly running out." He continued, "There is a rapidly expanding portion of the population that is mobile and affluent. Among this sector is a growing number of people who patronize prostitutes or use drugs. Unfortunately, the very people who are personally benefiting from economic progress may include those most at risk for HIV transmission." Arthur Holcombe, of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) said, "Public policy should be based on realities, not ideals...and concentrate on making drug using and sexual behaviors safe." He urged the use of condoms by prostitutes and clean needles by drug users, but admitted that there is little chance that the present Chinese system will stop criminalizing homosexuals, prostitutes, and drug users.
––"China has 969 Reported Cases of AIDS Infection," Xinhua, 1 December 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1992, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "China Marks World AIDS Day with Warning," Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 1 December 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1992, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "Time is Running Out for China to Fight AIDS," Agence France Presse, 1 December 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1992, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

28 December 1992
Experts from the Economic Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences have concluded that "AIDS in not merely a medical question but it influences socio-economic life as well," reported Xinhua. They note that research must be done on the relationship between AIDS and the rural labor migration, infection and high-labor-flow occupations, and the impact of AIDS on labor markets and investment practices.
––"Chinese Economists Join AIDS Research," Xinhua, 28 December 1992; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 December 1992, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1993
10 February 1993
The China National Health Education Institute, under the Ministry of Public Health, “has mapped out a national plan to motivate gay men to play an active role in the prevention of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS),” reports the English language China Daily. AIDS coordinator Wan Yanhai said “homosexuals’ role in spreading the disease should not be underestimated, although the main vector in China was drug addicts sharing contaminated needles.” The two year plan will begin in Beijing (north), Shanghai (east), and Guangdong (south), and will create counseling centers, special telephone hotlines, research on gays in Chinese society, and provide 10,000 free packets of condoms a year in the three cities. Government statistics show some 1,000 people in China carry the AIDS virus. A recent health institute survey in Shanghai, China's most populated city, showed that of 96 homosexuals tested, 24 have a form of venereal disease (VD).
––“China’s Homosexuals Urged to Come out of Closet, Help with AIDS Education,” Agence France Presse, 10 February 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 February 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

12 February 1993
The Chinese government imposed random AIDS testing on travelers entering China from Hong Kong. The AIDS test is mainly being applied to overseas Chinese. These tests are being performed at the border “and (travelers are) being told, without counseling, that they have been infected.” Zhou Zhongfu of the Guangzhou Health Bureau said, “We select those who might have a higher risk of spreading the virus…in order to prevent the disease from spreading.” Mike Sinclair, education officer of the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation, criticized the random screening for being “ineffective in preventing the spread of AIDS.” HIV/AIDS is often characterized in the China media as being a foreign disease.
––Stephen Vines, “China Imposes AIDS Testing at Border,” The Guardian (London), 12 February 1993, p. 11; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 February 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

19 February 1993
An epidemiologist at the Guangdong sanitation authorities, warned China has not yet established a nation-wide system for testing blood donors for the AIDS virus, thus creating a high risk of spreading AIDS through China’s blood supply. “Moreover, disposable syringes are not yet in common use in urban China and traditional reusable syringes are still used in rural areas most of the time.” China has discovered about 1,000 HIV carriers to date.
––“’Expert’ Says ‘High Risk’ of Contracting AIDS in China,” Zhongguo Tongxun She (Hong Kong), 19 February 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 March 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1 March 1993
Shanghai opened up an AIDS consultation hotline to provide information on AIDS for local residents, and will be manned by health educators, students from medical universities, and psychological experts. The hotline is sponsored by Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., and supervised by the Shanghai Health Education Station. As of the end of 1992, 923 people tested positive for the AIDS virus in China.
––“Shanghai Sets up AIDS Hotline,” Xinhua, 1 March 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 10 February 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

9 March 1993
Last month, Beijing’s first sex counseling center opened. Named the Adam and Eve Hygiene Center, it will sell contraceptives and offer limited out-patient services. Wen Jingfeng, who opened the center, said the center’s aim is to increase the knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and help Beijing residents to overcome the “cultural fallacies” about sexual behavior. A recent survey among 1,000 Beijing taxi drivers and hotel workers revealed very few knew how AIDS was spread. “Many did not know people could get infected through blood transfusions and intravenous injections, or that the use of condoms could help prevent AIDS.” Another study among Beijing residents showed many people still believe AIDS was “something foreign and they were safe as long as they did not have contacts with foreigners.” Chinese research agencies are currently gathering data on Chinese sexual practices -- including knowledge about AIDS and other STDs – to be used in future AIDS awareness campaigns.
––Rajiv Chandra, “Talking about Sex to Fight AIDS,” Inter Press Service (New Delhi), 9 March 1993, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 9 March 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

13 April 1993
Zhang Shibo, Chief of Liaoning Province Epidemic Control and Prevention Stations reported that a 24 hour AIDS and venereal disease hotline has opened in the capital of Liaoning Province. Shibo said the province has recorded up 10,000 cases of VD, and three have tested positive for HIV ( one Chinese and two foreigners).
––"Venereal Diseases Hotline Opened in Liaoning," Xinhua, 13 April 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 April 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

18 July 1993
The Tibet Daily reported Tibet's first registered HIV case is a foreign worker in Lhasa. Officially, there are 1,106 confirmed cases of HIV carriers in China, and 14 have developed full-blown AIDS.
––"First AIDS Carrier Found in Tibet," Agence France Presse, 28 July 1993, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 28 July 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

24 July 1993
The Hong Kong AIDS Foundation and the government AIDS hotline have reported receiving calls from mainland China. "We actually get a lot of calls from across the Chinese border, mainly from Shenzhen and Guangzhou," said Mike Sinclair, Hong Kong AIDS Foundation Education Officer. Sinclair believes mainland Chinese have been calling the hotline because they "worry about confidentiality of hotlines" on the mainland, and fear "that any discovery that they were infected with HIV would effect their employment."
––Susie Weldon, "Cautious Mainlanders Dial Local AIDS Hotlines," South China Morning Post, 24 June 1993, p. 4; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 April 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

24 July 1993
French AIDS expert Christian Policard, President of Sanofi-Diagnostics-Pasteur (SDP) believes China should perform HIV tests on foreigners and high risk groups such as prostitutes, addicts and homosexuals. Also, according to Policard, the risk of contamination by blood transfusion remains minimal.
––"Between 5,000 and 10,000 HIV Carriers in China," Agence France Presse, 24 July 1993, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 July 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com;

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.

3 August 1993
China Daily reported the city of Beijing will begin testing blood products used in transfusions for the AIDS virus. For many outside observers, this move is an indication of China moving away from it position that the way to control AIDS is to control foreigners entering China. Beijing currently has 45 registered cases of HIV carriers. To date Beijing has reported no HIV infections through blood transfusions. Shanghai began testing blood products in 1992.
––"Beijing to Test Blood Products Used in Transfusions," Agence France Presse, 3 August 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 3 August 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

15 August 1993
The Director of the National Health Education Institute, Chen Bingzhong, is fired because of "allegedly using the AIDS issue to promote gay rights." Chin and Wan Yanhai established Beijing's first AIDS hotline and established a gay men support group called Men's World Club. According to Chin and Wan, "the most effective way to combat AIDS is by changing people's behavior and encouraging safer sex," partially among China's high risk groups. However, both groups were seen by their colleagues and Beijing's gay community as "unnecessarily confrontational and combative." The Chinese government believes the majority of Chinese infected with the AIDS virus are social deviants, therefore, "the threat of the disease being sexually transmitted is much reduced." Beijing views AIDS as a medical issue and not a political or civil rights issue as it has become in the West. In China's view, "making AIDS a political and civil rights issue, as gay rights groups have done in the West, has prevented the authorities from taking effective action to curb the epidemic." Official statistics show that only two of China's confirmed HIV cases are homosexuals.
––Geoffrey Crothall, "Health Official's Sacking Signals Beijing's Attitude to Homosexual Rights," South China Morning Post, p. 8; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 15 August 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.

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.

23 September 1993
China will open its first AIDS hospital in Ruili City, Yunnan Province by the end of the year. The Chinese government has decided to place the hospital in Yunnan province because Yunnan has the largest number of HIV cases in China, and Ruili City the largest number of HIV cases in Yunnan. To date, China has 1,106 confirmed HIV cases, 850 of whom are located in Yunnan, and Ruili City has 425 confirmed HIV carriers. Yunnan province has four confirmed AIDS patients, three of which have already died. Zhao Shangde, a member of China AIDS Experts Commission, stated the hospital will hold a total of 50 beds, but might find it difficult to staff. Zhao added that "mainland medical personnel are generally afraid of AIDS; the hospital will probably find it difficult to find sufficient medical personnel at the outset."
––"China's First AIDS Hospital to be Built in Yunnan," Ming Pao (Hong Kong), 23 September 1993, p. 14; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 23 November 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.

11 November 1993
China's National Drug Prevention Committee (NDPC) General Secretary Yuan Yongyuan reported China has 250,000 registered drug users, of which 775 contracted HIV/AIDS while injecting drugs. According to the Ministry of Public Health, 80 percent of China HIV/AIDS cases are drug related. The majority of China's drug cases are located in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces along China's southern border.
––"China Registers 250,000 Drug Users, Leading Cause of HIV," Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 11 November 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 11 September 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

16 November 1993
Dai Zhicheng, Director in Charge of Anti-Epidemic Department of the Ministry of Public Health announced the Chinese government is allocating an additional 3.5 million yuan (603,000 USD) to expand AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) surveillance across China. "The money will be used to subsidize construction of two national AIDS control centers in Guangdong and Yunnan provinces, and to improve the National STD Control Center, which is located at the skin diseases research institute of the Nanjing Academy of Medical Sciences in Jiangsu province." Officially there are 1,106 confirmed cases of HIV in 19 provinces and concentrated in major cities. Also, "more than 100,000 new STD cases have been reported annually for the past few years."
––"China to Strengthen Surveillance of AIDS," Xinhua, 16 November 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 September 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "China to Boost Testing for AIDS," Agence France Presse, 16 November 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 November 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

26 November 1993
During a recent seminar on AIDS in Shanghai, an unnamed official from the Research Office of the State Council called for more effort to be spent on the prevention of AIDS, reported the Shanghai-based Wen Hui Daily. The official said that failing to pay attention to the prevention of HIV/AIDS could "result in disaster for the Chinese nation and a threat to the current reform and opening drive." He continued, "Prevention and Control of AIDS should always be treated as a strategic issue in China's modernization."
––"Failure to Curb AIDS can Sabotage Socialist Construction - Official," Xinhua, 26 November 1993, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26 November 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

26 November 1993
The Beijing Daily reported that since 1985, there have been 55 confirmed HIV cases in Beijing (32 are foreigners, 11 are from other provinces, and 12 are residents of Beijing). In addition, there have been about 800 cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) each year, including infants born with an STD. To prevent the spread of AIDS and STDs, the Beijing government has established the Beijing Association for the Prevention and Cure of Venereal Disease and AIDS.
––Zhong Weining, "The Beijing Association for Prevention and Cure of Venereal Disease and AIDS is Established," Beijing Ribao, 26 November 1993, pg. 3; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26 November 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

30 November 1993
Shanghai's Wenhui Daily reported two more HIV cases have been registered in Shanghai. This brings the total number of HIV positive cases in Shanghai to nine, out of 170,000 people tested this year. No cases of full-blown AIDS have yet been reported. According to China's Ministry of Public Health, China has 1,106 confirmed cases of HIV. To date, 14 people have developed full-blown AIDS, of which 12 have died.
––"Shanghai Reports Two More AIDS Carriers," Agence France Presse, 30 November 1993, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 November 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

30 November 1993
On the eve of World AIDS Day, Minister of Public Health, Chen Minzhang announced the creation of the National Association of Sexually Transmitted Diseases at the Great Hall of the People. Addressing the inaugural meeting, Chen said AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are still growing in China. He stated, "We lack publication and comprehensive management measures on STDs and AIDS prevention." Administered jointly by the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry for Public Security, the mandate of the National Association of Sexually Transmitted Diseases is to focus on health education, information exchange and international cooperation on STD and AIDS control, and "will help the government organize figures from various circles to take part in STD and AIDS prevention activities."
––"China has 1,159 reported Cases of AIDS carriers," Xinhua, 30 November 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 November 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "China Reports 53 New HIV Carriers, Total Hits 1,159," Agence France Presse, 30 November 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 30 November 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "When Chang died...," South China Morning Post, 12 December 1993, pg. 8; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 December 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1 December 1993
Hao Ruifeng, an official with the Guangdong province epidemic prevention station reported 82 people have tested positive for the AIDS virus. Among them, 79 are Guangdong residents, aged from 21 to 61. Hao explained that the majority of HIV cases in Guangdong are related to sexual contact, and more than 50,000 people have tested positive for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) within the last year. To combat the AIDS epidemic, Guangdong has carried out campaigns to crack down on prostitution and drug users, established STD prevention centers and province-wide monitoring networks, and an AIDS hotline will soon be set up. Zhongshan Medical University and Jinan University have opened classes on sex education and books on sex education will be published soon.
––"Guangzhou Sound Alarm," Xinhua, 1 December 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1 December 1993
Chinese health officials have reported that more than 100,000 Chinese could become infected with HIV, with up to 20,000 developing full-blown AIDS by the year 2000. "Unless quick steps are taken now, AIDS will become rampant on China's mainland in the coming six years," a public health official was quoted as saying in the China Daily. Ying Dakui, Deputy Minister for Public Health, reported that 1,159 people have tested positive for the AIDS virus, and at least 19 now have full-blown AIDS (14 AIDS patients have died). Ying noted that these figures were extracted from a "small survey of 2.3 million people and the actual number carrying the HIV virus could range between 5,000 and 10,000."
––"Experts: China HIV Cases Could Hit 100,000 by 2000," United Press International, 2 December 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 December 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com; "China Expects 100,000 HIV Positive Cases by 2000," Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 2 December 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 December 1993, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1994
13 January 1994
In an attempt to curb the rise of HIV infections, the Chinese government set up quarantine stations at the country’s international airports. Officials will conduct on-the-spot blood tests to Chinese nationals who have lived outside China for more than six months. Foreigners who are planning to reside in China are required to have an HIV test after arriving. China Daily reported that quarantine stations detected 71 HIV carriers, and 300 people carrying sexually transmitted diseases were also detected in 1993. A total of 60,000 people were carrying infectious diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis and cholera.
––“China Detects 71 HIV Carriers in Tests at Arrival Ports,” Kyodo News Service (Tokyo), 13 January 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 13 January 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

2 February 1994
China’s Science and Technology Daily reported the AIDS hotline in Kunming, Yunnan has shut down because of financial problems. Originally established by volunteer medical students and concerned personnel a year ago, the hotline was located in China’s highest HIV region. The hotline director Wang Jing, said, “We have offered to sell the hotline to enterprises who have a public consciousness and who are keen on public affairs. It is possible, after it becomes an enterprise-run hotline; it can continue to offer services to those people needing help.” In the first half of last year, 219 people called the hotline before financial problems beset the hotline. Currently, China has 10,000 Chinese infected with the AIDS virus, while ten have developed full-blown AIDS; 10 people have died.
––“China AIDS Hotline Goes Broke,” United Press International, 2 February 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 February 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

22 February 1994
China Daily has reported that China is suffering from an “appalling” rise in sexually transmitted diseases. The majority of the increase comes from southern China, “where every year 200 people out of 100,000 suffer from a venereal disease.” The national average is 77 cases per 100,000 people. The statistics were gathered at monitoring stations in 16 provinces and cities, and showed an annual growth rate of 46.1 percent. The cases included syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, and AIDS. It is estimated that up to 10,000 Chinese now carry the AIDS virus. The article also stated, “Because China’s efforts to wipe out venereal disease were so successful following the Chinese revolution in 1949, an entire generation of doctors now finds itself unprepared and unable to handle the outbreak.”
––“Venereal Disease in China More Than Doubling Every Two Years,” United Press International, 22 February 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 January 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

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.

31 May 1994
Chen Minzhang, Minister of Public Health, announced that China has a total of 1,361 registered HIV cases in 22 Chinese mainland provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. Of the 40 cases of full-blown AIDS, 22 have died. Of the total number of HIV cases, 1,106 involved mainland residents and 255 were either foreigners or foreign citizens of Chinese origin. Official sources said “China is set to draft medium and long-term plans on the prevention of AIDS, as well as to step up the legislation of necessary laws so as to standardize the work and ensure the full implementation of measures designed to curb AIDS."
––“China had Over 1,300 AIDS-virus Infection Cases” Xinhua, 31 May 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 May 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

29 June 1994
The National Narcotics Control Commission reports that China has 250,000 registered drug users; and “that up to May this year, 1,361 persons were exposed to the AIDS virus, among them over 80 percent were drug addicts.”
––“Narcotics Commission says China has 250,000 Registered Drug Addicts,” Xinhua, 29 June 1994, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 July 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

4 July 1994
A report released by the Ministry for Public Health said China must change its “prudish” attitude towards sex education and start to promote AIDS awareness and prevention in order to “keep HIV infection at a reasonable low level.” The reports acknowledges, “The general public knows very little about the acquired immune deficiency syndrome or its prevention, and it's becoming difficult to stop the spread of the virus from abroad.” Furthermore, only 16 percent of healthcare workers in eastern China know how to prevent AIDS, and 94 percent of drug users surveyed in China’s narcotic areas were unaware that sharing needles can spread AIDS. A spokesperson from the Public Health Ministry said the Chinese government has already established a nationwide network to publicize the dangers of AIDS, but there are no public advertisements on television or in the media.
––“China’s AIDS Experts Call for Education,” United Press International, 4 July 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 July 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.

22 July 1994
The Ministry of Public Health (MOH) reported that 1,361 AIDS cases have been documented as of late May (1,106 involved mainland residents). The estimated number of HIV cases is between 4,810 and 11,415. However, the MOH noted these figures are based on a test population of only three million people. Chinese health officials are becoming more concerned because news reports have prostitution arrests at 920,000 and nearly one million registered drug addicts between 1983 and 1993. Furthermore, China’s growing mobile population is seen as a catalyst for the rapid spread of the HIV virus. Health experts, such as Professor Chen Chunming of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences for Precaution, see China as entering the stage in which the AIDS virus is beginning to spread outside the high risk groups. “Not only high risk groups exposed to the virus but persons living a regular life are also subject to such infection.” Furthermore, they have made an urgent appeal to establish a national “examination system for blood banks in a bid to prevent the blood reserve from AIDS contamination.”
––“AIDS: Basic Medical Units urged to Prevent ‘Catastrophic’ Spread of Infection,” Xinhua, 22 July 1993; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 22 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.

31 August 1994
The Ministry of Public Health announced an AIDS educational program “aimed at enhancing the awareness of the general public of the importance of preventing AIDS.” Funded by the Wellcome Pharmaceutical Corporation of Britain, this program will provide education for medical workers and AIDS patients, as well as the general public.”
––“AIDS Education Program Drawn Up,” Xinhua, 31 August 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 31 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.

19 September 1994
The Chinese magazine Outlook Weekly reports the central government will begin to increase the general public’s awareness about HIV/AIDS. They will achieve this goal by "strengthening the organizational leadership," "launch publicity programs, increasing funds for study and prevention of AIDS, expanding international co-operation and issue policies and laws to control AIDS." Lack of education about AIDS is seen as the biggest obstacle to containing the spread of AIDS in China. Public health workers in several cities have reported “that while most people have heard of AIDS, few knew how to avoid becoming infected with the virus that causes it.” A common belief says, “Many people think that if you don’t visit prostitutes, you can’t get the disease. And some prostitutes believe that if you don’t have contact with foreigners, you can’t get AIDS.”

According to the magazine, China now has 1,361 documented HIV cases, of which 255 are foreigners or overseas Chinese. HIV/AIDS has now been reported in 22 provinces and municipalities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Yunnan, Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang. Yunnan has 80 percent of China's HIV/AIDS cases. The report warns AIDS cases in China “could exceed 253,000 by year 2000 without more preventive measures.”

Chinese health officials predict a rise in China AIDS cases because of the overall increase of the disease internationally, especially in neighboring countries; China's growing “floating population” from rural to urban and from interior to coastal areas and among cities; the lack of knowledge about AIDS prevention in the general population; and the increase of drug addiction and prostitution. Estimated treatment cost is between 3,300 yuan and 7,400 yuan, “about one half of the average annual family income.”
––“China Strives to Control AIDS,” Xinhua, 19 September 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 19 September 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com; Elaine Kurtenback, “China to Do More to Warn Public about AIDS,” Associated Press, 21 September 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 21 September 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com

25 October 1994
From 1985 to last July, China has documented 1,435 HIV positive cases, among which 40 have developed AIDS (22 have died). The HIV population is comprised of 230 foreigners, 31 overseas Chinese, and 1,174 mainland Chinese. Experts at a recent AIDS conference estimate the total number of Chinese infected with the AIDS virus could hit 40,000 by the end of 1994. Officials from China’s top medical college, the Beijing Union Medical University, told China Youth Daily some 51 percent of China’s AIDS victims are in their 20s. They continued, “Young adults who are sexually active will be the first victims. If they meet with special situations they must learn the methods to protect themselves.”

Chinese officials now believe there are over 1 million prostitutes and 2.5 million drug users from China’s western provinces to major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Furthermore, “the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) has increased from 48 cases in 1980 to 360,000 in 1992. There is no nationwide screening for AIDS and the public awareness of how HIV is spread is low. Most Chinese believe only foreigners get AIDS. “A recent government survey found only 16 percent of health workers in eastern China knew how to prevent AIDS, and just six percent of intravenous drug users were aware that sharing needles could spread the fatal disease.” The Ministry of Public Health said it has established a nationwide network to publicize the “dangers of AIDS,” but to date there is no sex education in schools and no public service announcements on television.
––“Nearly 1,500 HIV Carriers Discovered in China,” Hsin Wan Pao (Hong Kong), 25 October 1994, pg. 3; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 4 November 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com; Lorien Holland, “China: 1,435 Cases of AIDS,” United Press International, 25 October 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 25 October 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

14 November 1994
Tian Yongbo of the Shanghai Health Education Institute disclosed that China’s State Education Commission “is planning to introduce an AIDS prevention and treatment course in colleges to educate college students on the AIDS disease” next year. Nation-wide there are more than 1,400 people infected with HIV, of whom 40 have developed into AIDS. Some 51 percent of HIV carriers are between 20 and 29 years old. In Shanghai, 18 people have been identified carrying the AIDS virus. 80 percent of them are between 18 and 45 years old, and more than 50 percent are between 20 and 29 years old.
––“Colleges to Introduce AIDS Education Courses,” Zhongguo Tongxun News Agency (Hong Kong), 14 November 1994, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 December 1994, http://www.lexsnexis.com.

26 November 1994
The China Youth Daily reported that several Chinese newspapers will publish an AIDS quiz on December 1 to correspond with World AIDS Day. The multiple choice quiz will focus on basic prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. The quiz is sponsored by the China Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS Prevention Association and the Ministry of Health. The quiz is planned to be placed in the China Youth Daily, Guangming Daily, Legal Daily, China’s Women’s News, and Health News.
––“China to Hold AIDS Awareness Quiz,” Agence France Presse, 26 November 1995, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 26 November 1994, http://www.lexsnexis.com.

29 November 1994
A Guangdong newspaper named the Yangcheng Evening News reported 21 new HIV cases in Guangdong this year. Bordering Hong Kong, Guangdong now has 97 registered HIV cases, with 3 AIDS related deaths. The paper wrote, “Experts are very worried because the great majority of people have no feeling of crisis and hold that the disease is a foreigner’s illness.”

Officials are warning that Guangdong has all the early signs of an AIDS outbreak: a large youthful population, uncontrolled prostitution, and huge increase in reported sexually transmitted diseases. “The twin brother of the AIDS virus is venereal disease,” wrote the paper.

Up to July 1995, China has detected 1,435 cases of HIV, but experts at a recent AIDS conference in Beijing estimate that 40,000 Chinese will be infected by the end of 1994. Of China’s infected population, 51 percent are in their twenties and were infected through heterosexual sex. Furthermore, a recent government survey found only 16 percent of healthcare workers in eastern China know how AIDS can be prevented. Surveys among university students show they were equally uninformed.
––Lorien Holland, “China Warns AIDS is Spreading,” United Press International, 29 November 1984; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 29 November 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

30 November 1994
Guangdong Province ranks second behind Yunnan Province in the number of AIDS cases. Since the first AIDS case was discovered in 1986, a total of 97 (48 cases Guangdong native, 19 related to patients from other provinces, 30 overseas Chinese and foreigners) cases have been identified in 10 of the province’s cities. “It is said 44 of the infected were found to be infected with AIDS on their return to China after staying abroad for visiting relatives, doing business, studying or working, 24 of them admitted that they had had causal sex while staying abroad.”
––“More Cases of AIDS Infection Found in Guangdong,” Ta Kung Palo (Hong Kong), 30 November 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 December 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com

1 December 1994
About 15 independent AIDS campaigners marked World AIDS Day by disseminating some 1,500 pamphlets entitled “Know About AIDS” in Beijing’s Wangfujing shopping district and nearby Dongdan Park. In the upscale Wangfujing shopping district many shoppers would not accept the pamphlets or dropped them in the street. An anonymous activist stated, “A lot of people aren’t willing to be seen accepting material on something like AIDS in the street – it’s not the sort of thing an upstanding citizen should show interest in. They don’t think it had anything to do with them.” In contrast, at Dongdan Park, an evening gathering spot for Beijing’s homosexual community, many people showed interest. After examining the material, some also approached the activists with questions.
––“Chinese Campaigners Target Shoppers on World AIDS Day,” Agence France Presse, 1 December 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1994, http://www.lexsnexis.com.

1 December 1994
Beijing’s Sanitation and Epidemic Prevention Departments have reported 23 new cases of HIV infections this year, increasing the city’s total documented HIV carriers to more than 80 people. Among the 23 new cases, eight were foreigners, seven are Beijing natives, and the rest are from other Chinese cities and provinces. Since the first registered case of AIDS in Beijing, a total of 81 HIV infected individuals have been found in the city, of which 42 are foreigners and 22 are Beijing. [Note: slight discrepancy with figures above as received] Furthermore, various cases of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) have increased 95.7 percent from November of last year. Beijing city officials require “all those Chinese infected by (the) AIDS to go back to their original hometown to receive treatment, (and) all foreigners to leave the country.”
––“Beijing Marks World AIDS Day; Statistics Update,” Xinhua, 1 December 1994, in Lexis-Nexus Academic Universe, 3 December 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1 December 1994
Marking World AIDS Day, all Beijing’s major hospitals set up information services to answer questions about AIDS. Also, several municipal departments have been conducting a sexual awareness program in Zhongshan Park, next to Tiananmen Square, which has attracted thousands of visitors. Beijing TV also broadcasted program on “AIDS and the Family.”
––“Beijing Marks World AIDS Day; Statistics Update,” Xinhua, 1 December 1994, in Lexis-Nexus Academic Universe, 3 December 1994, http://www.lexsnexis.com.

1 December 1994
The Chinese Ministry of Public Health reported that 1,453 have tested positive for HIV since the first case was detected in 1985. Currently, 22 of China’s 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities have reported cases of HIV infection. Of all China’s registered HIV infections 1,174 are Chinese, of which 70 percent where infected through intravenous drug use. However, only high-risk groups are being tested, wrote Wang Youfa of China’s Xiahe Medical College. In Beijing, eight of the 23 new HIV positive people were foreigners. The central government has often characterized AIDS as a disease that only infects foreigners and those on the fringe of society, such as drug users, prostitutes, and homosexuals. It is reported that 79 percent of China’s AIDS cases are located in China’s southern Yunnan Province, which has China's most serious drug problem. It is estimated as many as 10,000 Chinese may be infected with the AIDS virus, and 22 have died of AIDS since 1985.
––“To Raise Awareness of AIDS,” Xinhua, 1 December 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com; “AIDS Has Claimed 22 Lives; As Many as 10,000 May Be Infected,” Associated Press, 2 December 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 December 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

1 December 1994
Experts attending an international AIDS symposium in Beijing recommend China’s medical units test all blood products utilized both in clinical and laboratory use. So far, testing is only conducted in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Yunnan. A recent report presented at the symposium estimated “some 196 blood donors across the country have been carriers of the virus.” It warned, “If blood testing is not carried out immediately, some 3,000 to 7,000 people will be infected in the next decade.” The experts called for Beijing to offer grants and loans to local districts to set up blood testing laboratories. Also, they called for a standardized “nationwide inspection of the management of blood products.”
––“To Raise Awareness of AIDS,” Xinhua, 1 December 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 1 December 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

4 December 1994
Guangdong Province healthcare department announced it will establish an AIDS control center. The center will be responsible for the enhanced supervision of drug abusers, underground prostitution and venereal disease carriers. An AIDS hotline will also be set up. Guangdong reported its first AIDS case in 1986. Currently, there are 95 confirmed HIV carriers, including 30 foreigners or overseas Chinese and 48 Guangdong residents.
––“Guangdong to Set up AIDS Control Center,” Xinhua, 4 December 1994, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 6 December 1994, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

19 December 1994
The Beijing Youth Daily reported that “three recent blood donors in Beijing and Shanghai were carrying the AIDS virus.” The report did not give any further details. However, the report cited “government information submitted to the Asian Development Bank said that 83 to 196 of China’s blood donors carry the AIDS virus.” No information was given on how large China’s pool of blood donors is.
––“Three HIV Carriers Discovered Among Beijing, Shanghai Blood Donors,” Associated Press, 19 December 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 19 December 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
2 January 1995
Police in Tianjin have discovered a group that would force kidnapped children and mislead peasants to donate blood and then sell the blood to state-owned blood banks. The Tianjin Evening News reported men would go to the railway stations "to lure innocent people by offering good jobs, food and accommodations." Police reported everyday 200 to 400 ml of blood were forcibly taken from the victim. According to United Press International, in China there is no system for voluntary blood donations. Hospitals and blood banks will pay anyone willing to sell their blood, and there is no screening for AIDS or Hepatitis. This is the second report of people being forced to donate blood. Last December, another group was discovered in northern China.
––“Chinese Children Forced to Sell Blood," United Press International, 2 January 1995; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 January 1995, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

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.

7 March 1995
The Legal Daily estimated that 50 million Chinese have contracted a sexually transmitted disease. It stated, "The public needs regular facilities and information to dispel their difficulties. The emergence of... sexual medicine is a gospel to China's 50 million venereal disease patients." Sex education in Chinese schools is non-existent and a Chinese video on sexual health is only shown to married couples. "At present, the sexual know-how of the Chinese is at an embryonic period," the paper said. [The number of people who contracted STDs could not be verified by another source.]
––"China Says 50 Million Stricken with VD," United Press International, 7 March 1995; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 7 March 1995, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

24 March 1995
Yang Qi, Head of Yunnan’s AIDS Prevention Office reported that Yunnan has 1,776 cases of HIV and 21 of those have developed AIDS. Yang went on to imply that foreigners and minority groups are to blame for the increase of AIDS in China. He stated, “Over 95 percent of HIV carriers are drug users and 84 percent of those are rural people from minority areas. There are only 40 HIV carriers proved to have been infected by sexual contact. In China, prostitution is illegal. So far, the sexual-transmission cases in China are mainly in the minority areas along the Sino-Burmese and Sino-Laotian borders because people are less educated.” The first HIV/AIDS case was diagnosed in Yunnan in 1987.
––“Prejudice, Police Hamper Efforts to Control AIDS in China,” Vancouver Sun, 24 March 1995; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 March 1995, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

28 March 1995
Beijing will open its second AIDS hotline because of the increased number of callers who want information on AIDS. China currently has 1,550 documented cases of HIV.
––“Beijing Opens Second AIDS Hotline," United Press International, 28 March 1995; in Lexis-Nexus Academic Universe, 3 December 1994, http://www.lexsnexis.com.

12 April 1995
Chinese Health Minister Chen Min Zhang reported that at the end of 1994, 1,775 Chinese were HIV positive. Of the 1,775 cases, 65 had developed AIDS and 45 have died. Chen added that 70 percent of cases are intravenous drug users, but the transmission by sexual contact was on the increase. Chen also said "some patients were infected during blood transfusions."
––“Sexual Contact Reported to be Growing Source of AIDS in China,” Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 12 April 1995, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 12 April 1995, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

14 April 1995
Five Beijing newspapers ran a HIV/AIDS prevention contest sponsored by the China Association of STD/AIDS Prevention and Control and the Ministry of Public Health. The contest received more than 60,000 completed questionnaires, of which 1,100 carried correct answers to all the questions. The contest was aimed at promoting HIV/AIDS awareness.
––“Beijing Press Run Competition to Promote Knowledge of AIDS Prevention, Control," Xinhua, 14 April 1995; in Lexis-Nexus Academic Universe, 14 April 1995, http://www.lexsnexis.com.

14 April 1995
The Guangming Daily reported China has established the National Blood Products Management in an effort to control and prevent the spread of AIDS through contaminated blood products. China has 1,775 confirmed cased of HIV infections, 65 have full-blown AIDS, of which 45 have died. Health Minister Chen Minzhang confirmed "some patients were infected when they came into contact with contaminated blood," the report stated.
––“China Sets Up Blood Testing to Battle AIDS," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 14 April 1995; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 14 April 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.

25 April 1995
Dr. Wang Aixia of Xiahe Union Hospital in Beijing reported the majority of Chinese AIDS patients at the hospitals were hotel staff members and were infected through sexual activities. To date Xiahe Hospital has accepted 23 AIDS patients, of which eight are Chinese; three have died. The three which have died are all young males, and worked in large hotels. Two female patients were sexual partners of two of the three deceased men. Among the eight Chinese AIDS patients, five worked in large hotels.
––"AIDS Infection Rate Highest Among Hotel Staff," Xinhua, 25 April 1995; in Lexis-Nexis. Academic Universe, 25 April 1995, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

25 April 1995
Wang Tingchen, Mayor of Kunming, believes AIDS is only a foreigner problem. "Its is mainly a problem foreigners have. We take the strictest possible measures at our airports." Wang acknowledges there are cases of HIV/AIDS on the border areas, but to date he maintains there are no cases of AIDS in Kunming. "We have not found this disease among our citizens. It is mainly a problem foreigners have," Wang said any such cases in the city would be noticed "because of symptoms." He also believes that the 300,000 to 400,000 migrant workers, who do not undergo any medical checkups, are not infected.

However, Liu Jing, Deputy Governor of the Province says AIDS is a "very serious problem." He said, "We are very concerned and have taken a series of measure to combat the spread of the disease." In a recent nation-wide survey, 90 percent do not know how AIDS is spread. Also, 94 percent of drug users not know that sharing needles can spread the AIDS virus.
––"Ignorance and Lack of Knowledge in China; Only Foreigners get AIDS," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 25 April 1995; in Lexis-Nexis. Academic Universe, 25 April 1995, http://www.lexisnexis.com.

5 May 1995
Chinese officials reported that there were 531 new HIV cases in 1994 compared to 1,241 in the previous nine years. "The spread of the AIDS virus has quietly accelerated, with new cases in 1994 making up one-third of the total 1,774 carriers detected in the last 10 years," reported the Farmer's Daily. It's also stated, "Infection through sexual intercourse is on the rise." Western observes estimate there are over 2 million prostitutes in China, and venereal diseases have affected 15 million Chinese.
––"China Detects 531 AIDS cases in 1994," United Press International, 5 May 1994; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 5 May 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.

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