RUILI, Yunnan: Yunnan province is China's most culturally diverse region with 25 ethnic minorities.

The province, located in Southwest China, also has the country's highest incidence of HIV/AIDS.

And the Chinese government has pumped over US$100 million in the last three years to tackle the problem.

Almost 50,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Yunnan, which borders Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

According to official estimates, that accounts for over a quarter of the nation's HIV/AIDS sufferers in just one province alone.

The remote border town of Ruili is often deemed as 'ground zero' of China's AIDS epidemic.

Some of China's earliest AIDS cases were found here in 1989 and by the mid-90s, Ruili has accounted for more HIV cases than any other city in the country.

But these days, Ruili is a symbol of China's determination to stem the epidemic.

Local authorities are sparing no effort to educate residents on how the disease is spread and what protective measures they can take.

31-year-old He Jianfeng is an ex-drug addict.

Over a year ago, he discovered he had contracted AIDS from sharing infected hypodermic needles.

Wang Yunsheng, Deputy Director of Yunnan Provincial Bureau of AIDS Prevention and Control, said: "Yunnan's location makes it an ideal gateway for drug trafficking. The province is extremely susceptible to the drug menace.

"Drug abuse leads to the transmission of HIV/AIDS. However, transmission of the virus via sexual intercourse is rising every year."

Some 70,000 new AIDS cases were reported in China last year.

Among these AIDS sufferers, is a growing number of pregnant women.

Pai Guihong, Vice Mayor, Yunnan Ruili City Government said: "We'll provide aid to poor families and children orphaned by AIDS. We'll also provide AIDS orphans with education and medical care."

Three-year-old Zhao Xinjie is one such recipient.

Her mother was the first patient to receive anti-retroviral therapy under a government-funded scheme for pregnant HIV patients in 2003.

Xinjie, born infection-free, is now left in the care of her grandparents.

Local authorities also try to ensure that children like her are not discriminated by the society.


- CNA/so