Early intervention crucial in anti-AIDS battle, experts say

Earlier this month, Peter Reis, senior vice-president of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in the United States, visited gay men who frequent Mudanyuan Park in north Beijing. Free HIV tests were being offered by mobile HIV-testing vehicles sponsored by the foundation in partnership with the YouAn Hospital.

A young man approached one of the vans for a rapid test conducted with an oral swab. The result, which was ready in about 15 minutes, showed he was HIV-negative.

"I come here almost every week to meet friends and usually have a test," he said. "I play around too much so I need regular HIV screening."