China aims to provide treatment to 100 thousand HIV/AIDS patients by the end of 2005 as part of a global initiative on treating the killer disease.

This is according to a report released by the World Health Organization on Tuesday.

China has embraced the "3 by 5" initiative, launched by the WHO, which aims to make effective antiretroviral therapy available to 3 million people worldwide by the end of 2005.

It is estimated that more than 800,000 people in China are living with HIV/AIDS.

Intravenous drug use has been reported as the main mode of transmission in China, while the spread of HIV/AIDS through heterosexual acts is on the increase.

The WHO says tackling HIV/AIDS is regarded as the world's most urgent public health challenge and the disease is now the leading cause of death for young adults worldwide.

Source: Xinhua