9 Xinhua News Agency is authorized to issue the Circular of the State Council on Strengthening AIDS Prevention and Control Work, which declared the State Council Working Committee for AIDS Prevention and Control would annually organize nationwide inspection of the work. Those officials, who have failed to exercise strong leadership and implement proper measures, covered up epidemic outbreaks or neglected their duties, will be severely punished, according to the circular.

17 The Taiwan Work Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council issue a statement on cross-strait relations, warning that "Taiwan independence" does not lead to peace, nor does national dismemberment bring stability. If Taiwan leaders should move recklessly to provoke major incidents of "Taiwan independence," the statement said, the Chinese people will crush their schemes firmly and thoroughly at any cost.

26 The Global Conference on Scaling Up Poverty Reduction, co-sponsored by the Chinese Government and the World Bank, opens in Shanghai. Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a speech at the opening ceremony and gave a five-point proposal on worldwide poverty alleviation efforts. The proposal is: First, it is imperative to strive to create an international and domestic environment of peace and stability; second, it is necessary to establish a new international political and economic order that is fair and rational; third, the developed countries have a duty and responsibility to provide the developing countries with greater aid; fourth, the developing countries should base themselves on self-reliance in achieving development; and fifth, the international organizations should play an enhanced role in global poverty reduction.

28 The Nuclear Suppliers Group decides to admit China into the group at its annual conference in Stockholm, Sweden. China's accession is seen an important contribution to the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, which not only adds to coverage and effectiveness of the international nuclear nonproliferation mechanism, but also facilitates buildup and improvement of the related system.