China's government yesterday issued new regulations to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and protect the rights of the victims of the disease.

"I am pleased to see the final report, which constitutes a crucial part of the country's overall anti-AIDS strategy," said Joel Rehnstrom, country coordinator of UNAIDS' China office.

The new regulations, which were issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet, take effect on March 1.

China on January 25 announced new HIV/AIDS estimates that were the joint product of the Ministry of Health, UNAIDS and the World Health Organization.

The report said China currently has 650,000 HIV/AIDS cases, including 75,000 AIDS patients.

The larger figure represented a decline of 200,000 as the result of better measuring devices, the agencies said.

As such, experts warned the situation is not improving.

"Governments must take the main responsibility to prevent and control AIDS," said an official with the State Council's Legislative Affairs Office.

Under the new regulations, governments above the county level are charged with setting up coordinating mechanisms, specifying responsibilities and supervising all departments involved.

The anti-AIDS campaign also requires extensive cooperation from all walks of life, especially grassroots units and citizen groups, the official said.

Local governments need to enhance the pooling of resources in their regions, according to Wiwat Rojanapithayakorn, HIV/AIDS team leader of WHO's China office.

The regulations also spell out the rights and obligations of HIV/AIDS patients and their families.

Work units and individuals are barred from discriminating against HIV/AIDS patients and their relatives or revealing their personal information without permission.

Voluntary testing needs to be ensured in the control of HIV/AIDS, said Rehnstrom.

Meanwhile, HIV/AIDS patients are required to inform their sexual partners and doctors and take measures to keep from infecting others.

"Infected people who deliberately spread the disease will be charged under civil or criminal laws," said the Chinese official.