Number of new HIV/AIDS cases in China increases over 2011

"The number of new HIV/AIDS cases in China jumped in the first 10 months of the year, as premier-in-waiting Li Keqiang promised to let non-governmental groups play a bigger role in fighting an epidemic spreading fast in vulnerable groups," Reuters reports. "The number of new AIDS cases rose almost 13 percent in the January to October period, compared with the same period the previous year, while the number of people infected with HIV aged 50 and above leapt more than 20 percent, the official Xinhua news agency said," Reuters writes (Blanchard, 11/28). The number of new HIV cases among people aged 15 to 24 rose 12.8 percent from the previous year, according to the health ministry, Xinhua reports, noting nearly 85 percent of new cases occurred through sexual transmission.

"According to China's AIDS Action Plan for the 12th Five-Year Program period (2011-2015) published by the State Council, or China's Cabinet, in February, the country aims to decrease AIDS fatalities by 30 percent by 2015, and new cases by 25 percent as compared to 2010," Xinhua writes (11/28). "But in a country where taboos surrounding sex remain strong and discussion of the topic is largely limited, people with HIV/AIDS say they are often stigmatized, and activists frequently complain of official harassment," Reuters notes (11/28).