"The reality is that we still do not know where the 90 per cent are, which
bring us great difficulty in controlling the disease," said Hao Yang,
vice-director of the Disease Control Department.
Up to now, there has not been a nationwide survey on HIV infections, but only
in special groups of people.
Another problem is that people hesitate to take HIV tests, even though they
are free in many places, Hao noted.
Meanwhile, an effective and nationwide surveillance and reporting network in
China is still under construction.
More than 1,000 surveillance spots have been set up in the country in the
past year.
Many regions began placing condoms in entertainment venues earlier this year.
China has built 34 clinics and 50 spots to provide Methadone and clean
syringes for drug users.
More than 10,000 AIDS patients have been given free anti-retroviral therapy,
a kind of anti-virus treatment, this year.
The total central government investment on HIV/AIDS amounted to about 390
million yuan (US$47 million) in 2003.
The budget for 2004 was 810 million yuan (US$98 million), while budgeted
international support reached to 421 million (US$51 million) in 2004.
