As HIV begins to spread from high-risk groups in China to the general public, massage parlor, nightclub, and hair salon workers are the focus of attention of health authorities in the prevention of AIDS.

Recently policymakers in Central China's Hunan Province ordered local massage parlor workers to undergo mandatory HIV tests.

The same order was given last year in Henan Province, which was hit by an AIDS epidemic caused by botched blooding-selling schemes in the early 1990s.

Most people are in favor of mandatory checks, even some health authorities, instead of the voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), as stipulated in the Regulation on AIDS Prevention and Treatment passed by the cabinet at the beginning of 2006.

The regulation says the country must use VCT to respect the privacy and rights of HIV carriers.

Only in limited situations like giving birth, and donating blood and sperm, should mandatory HIV screening tests be carried out.

However, the central government body usually closes an eye to violations at the local level.

Debate on mandatory HIV tests has never ceased in China.

Of 650,000 HIV infected people, estimated by the government, only 60,000 have undergone tests.

In other words, potentially more than 90 percent of infected individuals continue to transmit HIV to their sexual or needle sharing partners.

"Personally I object to the mandatory approach. Without introducing conseling and help services earlier, the government missed the chance to spread prevention knowledge and raise AIDS awareness. In my opinion, voluntary testing is better."

Jing Jun, a professor with the sociology department of Tsinghua University

"I am comfortable with mandatory HIV tests for massage parlor workers, and all people involved.

"It is an efficient way of curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Those who trade sex for money should be responsible for themselves and clients."

Wang Laoshi, a HIV-positive volunteer for a Beijing-based AIDS care grassroots organization

"To date, there are more than 3,000 VCT sites in China, according to official statistics. But only 30 percent of the general public has ever heard about the free service. The fear of AIDS, discrimination, and stigma are major barriers to the effective work of VCTs.

"More social tolerance should be fostered."

Xia Guomei, professor with the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences

(China Daily 08/08/2007 page5)