China can control AIDS, prime minister tells UN

[ckramer]

Prime Minister Wen Jiabao of China has told a top United Nations official that China is capable of controlling its exploding HIV/AIDS epidemic, state media said Tuesday.

"China is still facing serious challenges in HIV/AIDS prevention and control, but the Chinese government is determined and capable of curbing the spread of the disease to ensure the people live a healthy and peaceful life," Wen said, according to the Xinhua press agency.

He made the comments in a meeting with Peter Piot, executive director of the UN program on HIV/AIDS, who last week said a "truly exceptional response" was needed from Beijing to get on top of the epidemic.

China has an estimated 840,000 people infected with HIV, including 80,000 with full blown AIDS, according to official figures. International groups believe the real figure is much higher.

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Any politicians here dare to say that?

[bemildred]

1. Notice that he does not say "China will control AIDS".

He merely claims they could, that it's not hopeless yet.