China has lifted its entry restrictions on travellers with HIV/AIDS.

China has become the latest country to lift its entry restrictions for foreigners with HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and leprosy, following a 20-year ban.

China’s Ministry of Health described the ban as having been made in accordance with “limited knowledge about HIV/AIDS and other diseases” at that time.

The United States and Republic of Korea both lifted their travel restrictions in January this year, while Namibia and the Ukraine have pledged to take steps to remove their restrictions.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said of China’s actions: “I commend President Hu Jintao for China’s decision to remove travel restrictions based on HIV status. Punitive policies and practices only hamper the global AIDS response. I urge all other countries with such restrictions to remove them as a matter of priority and urgency.”

According to UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, more than 50 countries currently have some form of restriction for people living with HIV. Five of these countries deny visas to people living with HIV for even short-term stays, and 23 countries deport people once their HIV-positive status is discovered.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) also commended China. Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General, said: “China’s decision to categorically remove HIV/AIDS from the list of conditions subject to entry restrictions is a significant step in the right direction. This decision should inspire other nations to change laws and policies that continue to discriminate against people living with HIV.”