China lifts ban barring entry to foreigners with HIV and AIDS
April 27, 2010 10:43 p.m. EDT
Migrant workers, with red ribbons, attend an event organized by the local government to promote HIV/AIDS knowledge among migrant workers on December 1, 2005 in Chengdu of Sichuan Province.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- China lifts ban on foreigners with HIV, AIDs, sexually transmitted diseases, leprosy
- Entry ban lifted after it was realized it did little to prevent the spread of disease
- Ban also caused problems when hosting international events in the country
- Health ministry estimated by October 2009, 740,000 people were living with HIV in China
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(CNN) -- The Chinese government has lifted a 20-year-old rule that banned foreigners with HIV and AIDs, sexually transmitted diseases and leprosy from entering the country, according to the country's state news agency.
State-run news agency Xinhua reported Tuesday that China's State Council decided to repeal the ban after realizing it did little to prevent the spread of disease and caused problems when the country was hosting international events.
The revision came days before the opening of the six-month Shanghai World Expo, which organizers expect will draw 70 million people. The government had previously lifted the ban temporarily for other large-scale events, including the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
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