The disease 'could blunt a lot of progress', the former president warns while calling for lower prices for medication
Former US president Bill Clinton warned yesterday that HIV/Aids could have a devastating impact on China's economic miracle if no prompt action was taken to combat it. damage
Speaking at the Aids/Sars summit at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Mr Clinton, who is co-chairman of the International Aids Trust, also promised to help introduce cheaper drugs for Aids treatment across the mainland.
'China is moving in a positive direction. You are now the fourth largest trading nation and the fourth largest recipient of foreign direct investment in the world,' Mr Clinton told an audience of top health officials, healthcare and nongovernmental organisation workers.
'The headlines are hopeful and the future looks bright, but the weight of 15 million or 30 million people living with HIV/Aids could blunt a lot of progress, especially as the burden falls most heavily on young people.'
Mr Clinton said international co-operation to combat an epidemic like Aids was necessary and he was willing to help bring cheaper drugs to China.
'If we continue to ignore the implications of Aids, it will be terrible not only for China but for all the partners and friends of China all around the Earth,' he said.