Spread of AIDS in Rural China Ignites Protests

For the first time, China announced its observance of World AIDS day. However, lack of AIDS awareness and unrest in some provinces prove that China still has a long way to go to address the epidemic. Several provinces in rural China, whose HIV incidence is still undetermined though believed to be very high, have either been ignored or suppressed by the government. Protesters and journalists were detained recently for several days in a government guest home in Suixian County, while about 40 villagers demonstrated outside of the building. Government officials have instructed villagers not to speak to journalists and treatment for the disease is scarce. Some believe that the Chinese government has underestimated the number of HIV-positive people—only 600,000.. Lack of an official AIDS education program and direct action in the provinces reveal where AIDS stands on China’s priority list. – YaleGlobal