Singapore: Ahead of the World AIDS Day, Mr Wang Guoqiang, vice director of the National Health and Family Planning Commission in China said that about half a million people living in the country are battling HIV.

Highlighting that sexual transmission was a major route for HIV transmission among the population, Mr Wang cautioned that this sounded a state of a low pandemic situation for HIV in the country and unless adequate measures are taken, China may face serious HIV crisis situation

The Chinese Premier Mr Li Keqiang, said that the government would enhance funding and surveillance efforts to curb HIV. "Efforts should be made to strengthen HIV screening, focus on high risk groups, and seek breakthroughs in the development of new-generation vaccines and drugs to counter the virus," he said.

Mr Keqiang further mentioned that the government is planning to set up HIV prevention centers and introduce tax reduction and exemption policies for public welfare social organizations. He said that the country is also planning to establish collaborations and partnerships for global eradication of HIV.