Chinese citizens staying overseas for more than a year may not in future be expected to undergo mandatory HIV/AIDS tests when entering China, according to a draft rule issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

The draft amending the rule on AIDS prevention, treatment and management at Chinese points of entry also removes a clause that inspection and quarantine authorities should check the authenticity of the documents AIDS patients or HIV carriers declare.

The draft only requires them to report their situation and officials to give them health consultation and inform local centers for disease prevention and control.

The draft has been put on the administration's website for public comment.

Local quarantine officials said Shanghai will still follow the current practice of having tests on entry or at designated facilities within a month but the tests will stop when the amended rule takes effect.

Non-Chinese citizens who apply to stay in China will still need to go to local quarantine facilities for health checks that include the HIV/AIDS test.

China lifted the ban on the entry of foreigners with AIDS, leprosy and sexually transmitted diseases in April.

"The new draft should be another step on the issue," Fang Yong, from the Shanghai Entry-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, said.

Officials from Shanghai Health Bureau said the draft was aimed at showing respect for people, adding that wide health education had promoted knowledge of prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.

"The HIV test should be voluntary and appropriate self-protection can prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS effectively," said Song Guofan, a bureau official. "Shanghai has set up more than 40 voluntary and free HIV testing spots in all the districts. Voluntary testing has become an important way to detect HIV/AIDS by local health authorities."

(Shanghai Daily November 27, 2010)