Attending a red ribbon-- the Chinese symbol of AIDS prevention-- distribution activity, initiated by the All-China Federation ofTrade Unions, Wu said the spread of HIV/AIDS has brought severe threats to China's economy and society. The AIDS prevention work is of vital importance to the country's economic development, social stability, national security and the fulfillment of the goal of building a well-off society.

Wu said the country's trade unions at all levels had made greatefforts in leading workers to prevent HIV/AIDS during the past years and their efforts should be continued.

China's fight against AIDS/HIV has lasted 19 years, since the first HIV infectious case was discovered in 1985.

The assessment report on China's AIDS prevention and control, released by the Ministry of Health, shows HIV is an epidemic covering all the mainland's 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. There are 840,000 HIV-carriers, of whom 80,000 suffer AIDS.

The majority of Chinese HIV carriers have been infected throughblood transfusions. However, the ratio of sexual infections increased from 5.5 percent in 1997 to 10.9 percent in 2002 and more Chinese infants have been directly infected by their mothers.

The number of HIV carriers has rapidly increased, and the virushas been epidemic not only among high-risk groups like drug abusers and sex workers, but also among average people.

Experts warned that more than 10 million Chinese will be HIV-positive in 2010, unless effective counter-measures are taken.

In December 2003, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shook hands and spoke to AIDS patients in Beijing in a bid to eliminate social discrimination against the HIV positive.