Today is Global AIDS Day, so we thought we'd take a look at the state of HIV/AIDS in China and some of the important developments that have taken place over the last year. Bad news first: the total number of AIDS deaths in China jumped a crazy 20,000 from last October to now, putting the total deaths on record at 68,315, according to figures released earlier this week. While the jump in numbers is most likely due to more accurate recording methods, the government has promised to respond by stepping up screening for the disease and education campaigns among at-risk groups. more ›

We’ve known for some time that Chinese parents are much too squeamish to discuss the finer points of sex with their kids, and that curious youths were resorting to learning about the birds and the bees from the internet, but now it looks as if some schools around the country are starting to pick up the slack. They are now offering sexual health classes to students - and not the creepy religious kind. more ›

So the private sex education for kids initiative didn't work out so hot, but that hasn't stopped Shanghai officials from promoting sex-ed to a slightly older set. Social workers will visit various venues, like vocational schools and community centers, in five districts around Shanghai to teach safe sex in a pilot program aimed at the 16 to 25 year old set. While the program encourages abstinence, officials in charge say they do not judge - there are lessons on contraceptive use and how to prevent AIDS. They also help unwed pregnant women tell parents about their pregnancies, as well as providing free condom and free abortion info as needed. Now this is something we can applaud. Source: Shanghai Daily more ›

13 million abortions are performed in China each year, according to China Daily, which basically means that every 365 days, China aborts the equivalent of the entire state of Pennsylvania's population. more ›