United States Global AIDS Coordinator Randall Tobias said in Beijing Tuesday that the United States and China should increase cooperation in fight against AIDS.

Tobias said at a press conference held by the US Embassy in Beijing that it is very important for China and the United States to work together closely to find a solution to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

"We have a number of activities that are already going on. My visit here is to better understand the issues in China regarding HIV/AIDS and the opportunities that we can work together," he said.

Tobias said that after meeting with officials of the Chinese Health Ministry and the China Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), he was very "impressed and encouraged" by the Chinese government's public and strong commitment to combating HIV/ AIDS.

"But at the same time, China is a very large country with many problems in the rural areas with regard to AIDS. So while we are encouraged by what's going on, it will be a very long journey," Tobias said.

The US government has committed 15 billion US dollars to help fight against HIV/AIDS around the world, he said. The US is providing and will provide financial support worth 35 million US dollars to China from 2004 to 2008.

"I am looking at various ways in which the United States can help with the people of China," he said.

Prior to the press conference, Tobias, together with Pu Cunxin, a popular Chinese actor and a representative of AIDS prevention campaign, received an HIV test in the CDC of central Beijing's Chaoyang District to show the people that such testing is safe and private.

The State Council, or the cabinet, set up an AIDS prevention work committee in early 2004, in a substantial effort to provide treatment and free check-ups to AIDS patients in rural areas and urban AIDS patients in need.

Source: Xinhua