BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhuanet) -- China's Health Ministry and the Clinton Foundation of the United States signed here Thursday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the prevention and treatment of AIDS.

    According to the MOU, the Clinton Foundation will provide, as needed by the Chinese government, technical assistance in AIDS care and treatment.

    The foundation will also offer technical assistance in the effective management of AIDS care and treatment programs, the development of standardized patient information system, the setting of protocols for treatment and testing, and the establishment of monitoring and evaluating programs.

    Chinese Vice-Minister of Health Wang Longde said at the signing ceremony that China will continue to seek financial and technical assistance from the international community as well as non-governmental organizations and enterprises, to jointly explore theanti-AIDS strategy and curb the spread of AIDS in China.

    According to the Health Ministry, China has an estimated numberof 840,000 people with HIV, including 80,000 AIDS patients.

    China's Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were entrusted by the Health Ministry to have further discussions with the Clinton Foundation for detailed plans.

    Clinton Foundation, founded by former US president Bill Clinton,has carried out cooperative projects on AIDS campaign with 18 countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean region. This was the first time for the foundation to cooperate with the Chinese Health Ministry. Enditem