The State Council, Chinese cabinet, in a circular publicized Sunday admitted that AIDS epidemic is still quickly spreading in the country and a series of urgent measures must be taken to change the situation

The State Council, Chinese cabinet, in a circular publicized Sunday admitted that AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) epidemic is still quickly spreading in the country and a series of urgent measures must be taken to change the situation. Almost at the same time, Vice-Premier Wu Yi's speech a month ago on AIDS prevention was publicized in full text, stressing China's AIDS prevention and control work is at a crucial stage because the epidemic may spread from high-risk groups to normal people. China's fight against AIDS/HIV has lasted 19 years, since the first HIV infectious case was discovered in 1985. The assessment report on China' s AIDS prevention and control, released by Ministry of Health, shows HIV is an epidemic covering all the mainland's 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. There are 840,000 HIV-carriers, of whom 80,000 suffer AIDS, official figures show. Some experts warn that over 10 million Chinese will be HIV-positive in 2010, unless effective measures are taken. Stressing the extreme importance and emergency of curbing the quick spread of the deadly disease in China, Wu said if no effective prevention and control measures are taken, "the consequences will be very grievous." The Chinese government has taken a number of measures in this regard, including free treatment for the poor, the establishment of AIDS control centers, the legislation of AIDS-related laws and international cooperation.