Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi said in Beijing Wednesday that China will increase international cooperation for AIDS prevention and treatment.

Wu told Judy Lewent, visiting executive vice president and chief financial officer of Merck & Co. Inc., that the Chinese government regards the prevention and treatment of AIDS as a strategic problem.

The disease concerns the nation's rise and fall, social stability, economic development and national security, she said, and the issue has been brought into the important agendas of the government work.

She said local governments at all levels have strengthened their anti-AIDS efforts and curbed the spread of AIDS.

Besides the government's endeavors, China also encourages social efforts and resources to pool in the AIDS prevention, she added.

Wu thanked Merck's support for China's AIDS prevention and treatment on behalf of the Chinese government.

"China is ready to further increase its sound cooperation with Merck in anti-AIDS area," the vice-premier said.

Source: Xinhua