I commend China’s decision to lift its ban on HIV-positive individuals entering the country. The Obama Administration has taken similar action here at home, repealing the long-standing policy that prevented people living with HIV from entering the United States.
China's step, like our earlier action, is supported by current medical knowledge of HIV transmission and risk. And it will help reduce the stigma and discrimination around HIV/AIDS that fuel the global pandemic and too often prevent people from accessing much-needed services.
I am encouraged by the growing international consensus against discriminatory HIV-based travel restrictions, and I congratulate China on being a part of this progress.
