A special AIDS prevention fund targeting China's young people has been launched with initial capital of 1 million yuan (120,000 US dollars).
It is the first time non-governmental forces are joining efforts to battle the disease, said Thursday's Beijing Morning Post.
The fund, launched on Wednesday, was jointly initiated and founded by the China Youth Development Foundation, China Youth Daily and Guilin Latex Company.
Public welfare activities will be held to arouse the awareness of youngsters and children and offer them more information on AIDS and its control.
Money may be raised overseas for the fund. All donations as well as any expenses incurred will be listed in the accounts of the China Youth Development Foundation and open to audit and public supervision.
Medical experts say nearly half of the new HIV carriers are youths ranged between 15 and 24 in age.
A recent official report estimated that there are approximately 850,000 HIV carriers in China.
(People's Daily August 30, 2002)
