CRI听力: China Lifts Travel Ban on Foreigners Living with HIV/AIDS

UNAIDS and disease prevention experts have applauded China's decision to lift a ban on entry for foreigners living with HIV/AIDS.

They believe that the new policy will benefit the global response to HIV/AIDS by further reducing discrimination against the disease.

Du Lijun has the details.

China's State Council, or cabinet, has removed a long-standing travel ban for people living with HIV/AIDS after revising two regulations made in the 1980s.

Mark Stirling, UNAIDS Country Coordinator in China, says the decision is very good news for people suffering from the disease.

"It's a very important decision from China. It means firstly that there is no restriction on people living with HIV visiting China. That provides an important opportunity for people living with HIV to visit China, to engage with people living with HIV in China and people involved with China's AIDS program to share international experience and best practices."

Wu Zunyou, director of China's National Centre for AIDS/STD Prevention and Control, agrees.

"Given the current HIV pandemic situation both in China and the rest of the world, imposing a travel ban on people living with HIV/AIDS can't effectively control the disease. In contrast, to lift the ban will create a harmonious atmosphere for people living with HIV/AIDS. Thus, they will be willing to actively participate in combating the pandemic."

According to UNAIDS, fifty-one countries and regions still impose some form of travel restriction on the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV. And 23 countries deport individuals once their HIV-positive status is discovered.

In light of this situation, Mark Stirling says China's lifting of the ban is an encouragement for the world to remove all forms of discrimination against HIV/AIDS.

"You cannot acquire HIV by holding hands with a person living with HIV, by talking with a person living with HIV or by washing or getting involved in any normal practices with people living with HIV. There is no possibility of transmission. So the first challenge is to ensure we have a better understanding of HIV and its transmission. The second is for us to agree to the principle that there should be no discrimination against people living with HIV."

Scientific research show HIV/AIDS is usually transmitted through blood, sex and from mother to infant.

Currently 110 countries and regions around the world have no ban on entry for HIV/AIDS carriers.

The United States and South Korea both lifted HIV-related entry restrictions in January. And several other countries, including Namibia and the Ukraine, have also pledged to take steps to remove such restrictions.

For CRI, I'm Du Lijun.