Poverty alleviation has become the main objective of working groups sent to remote Chinese villages to fight AIDS.

In central China's Henan Province, its provincial government regards animal husbandry funded by low-interest loans as a means of improving the situation for AIDS-affected families.

In Wenlou Village which is hit hard by the deadly disease, a medium-sized pig farm has been set up. About US$50,000 invesetment are offered by local government. In addition, a fodder processing factory affiliated with the farm also creates job opportunities.

The working group is aiming to make these families, impoverished by AIDS, to become self-reliant.

Meanwhile, low-interest or even interest-free loans are being provided in emergency situations, such as heart surgery for the child of AIDS patients.

(CCTV.com August 15, 2004)