Xiao Jun, who comes from a family of illiterate farmers in Sichuan, graduated in 2002 with a degree in music from a teachers' college in the province. Since then, he has worked as a substitute teacher at primary schools, while supplementing his income by undertaking odd jobs.

Last August, Xiao Jun passed an examination given to gauge his qualifications for teaching music to students in a primary school in the county seat. He was asked to report to work on Aug 31. But before starting, he underwent two physical examinations organized by the county education bureau and was found to be HIV positive. The bureau later informed him that it would not offer him the teaching post.

Xiao Jun insisted that he had only contracted HIV and that he could work as well as a non-infected person so long as he does not develop AIDS.

Xiao Jun, who is single and has no girlfriend, said he doesn't know how he contracted the deadly virus. Shortly after learning he is HIV positive, he turned to the non-profit Beijing Yirenping Center, which helped him find his attorney, Xu.