In China today, few people would feel as sick, shy or surprised at such scenes as they might once have, for the country is intensifying its spread of information on AIDS to prevent and control the deadly disease, using a range of channels.

Statistics show that the number of HIV carriers in China reached 30,736 by the end of 2001. But experts estimate that the actual number may have already climbed to more than 600,000.

Fearing the further spread of the infectious disease among its people, China is setting up a comprehensive system for AIDS prevention and aiming to reduce the number of HIV carriers to below 1.5 million by 2010.

However, "the mass media should first raise the general public' s awareness and draw attention to the AIDS threat," said Dong Boqing, an AIDS prevention expert.

A study by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences reported that China's major mass media broadened its coverage of AIDS between 1995 and 2001, with non-trade newspapers publishing at least one story every 2.8 days on average.

Open reporting by the media on the facts of the AIDS epidemic, which was once considered "taboo", is becoming increasingly common in China.

High-profile reports and programs on AIDS patients can be seen frequently in the media. Even a few brave AIDS patients have broken their silence and appealed to the public for respect by citing their own experiences via the media.

Thousands of health officers, university students and volunteers go to the countryside and offer people brochures and audio-visual material on AIDS prevention.

In Guangxi, bus companies are screening AIDS prevention videos on their buses and major courses are running in schools. Authorities are also planning to publicize AIDS prevention information on trains and other public transport.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2002)