The statute on the prevention and control of AIDS issued by China's State Council started to take effect on March 1, 2006.

Departments concerned including the Ministry of Health and the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council have held a conference on the publicity and implementation of the statute.

The conference was held in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province.

As of the end of 2005, around 650,000 people have been reported living with HIV/AIDS in China, including 75,000 AIDS patients. About 70,000 new cases occurred last year and about 25,000 people died of the disease across the country.

By People's Daily Online