In the response to HIV, the protection of the rights of those vulnerable to, and living with the infection, is critical. The UN considers that through continued efforts to expand access to HIV prevention and treatment services, efforts to combat stigma and discrimination, and efforts to protect the rights of those affected and infected, China will be able to make significant progress toward Millennium Development Goal 6 (MDG6).

Almost 25 years have passed since the first case of HIV was discovered in China. Over those 25 years, China's response to HIV has grown and become increasingly effective - preventing many new infections and saving the lives of many thousands of Chinese citizens living with HIV.

As we move into the second decade of the 21st century, it is important that China's response to HIV is further intensified, for despite China's progress, the reality is that the epidemic is still exacting an unacceptable human toll - in 2009 some 48,000 people were estimated to be infected with HIV and some 26,000 people died of AIDS in China.