WASHINGTON, April 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday commended China's decision to lift its ban on HIV-positive individuals entering the country, saying the move would help reduce the "stigma and discrimination around HIV/AIDS."
"China's step, like our earlier action, is supported by current medical knowledge of HIV transmission and risk. And it will help reduce the stigma and discrimination around HIV/AIDS that fuel the global pandemic and too often prevent people from accessing much- needed services," said Clinton in a statement.
"I am encouraged by the growing international consensus against discriminatory HIV-based travel restrictions, and I congratulate China on being a part of this progress," she said.
The Chinese government announced on Tuesday the lifting of a 20- year-old ban on entry for foreigners with HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and leprosy.
According to a statement released by China's State Council, after gaining more knowledge about the diseases, the government has realized that such a ban has a very limited effect in preventing and controlling diseases in the country.
The revision came days ahead of the opening of the Shanghai World Expo. The government temporarily lifted the ban for various large-scale events, including the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995 and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
According to the Chinese Health Ministry, the estimated number of people living with HIV in China had reached 740,000 by October 2009, with deaths caused by AIDS totaling 49,845 since the first case was reported in 1985.
The State Council statement said the lifting of the ban won't bring an outbreak of disease in the country as scientific research has proved daily contact doesn't cause infection.
According to UN reports, 51 countries, territories and areas currently impose some form of travel restriction on the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV based on their HIV status. Five countries deny visas to people living with HIV for even short-term stays, while 23 countries deport individuals once their HIV-positive status is discovered.
