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China bans condom advert
 The Chinese authorities frown upon the use of condoms |
Chinese authorities have banned the country's first television advertisement promoting the use of condoms to prevent the spread of the HIV virus.
The advertisement was banned just two days after it was unveiled to mark World Aids Day.
 The advertisement is not in accordance with advertising regulations  |
| State Administration for Industry and Commerce |
State television first aired the advertisement from the country's Family Planning Commission on Sunday.
It showed a cartoon condom fighting off the HIV virus.
Health workers hoped the advertisement would be the first step of a media campaign to raise awareness of HIV and combat the coy attitude that many Chinese have about sex.
But the State Administration for Industry and Commerce banned the advertisement after the second showing on Tuesday.
A spokesman said: "The advertisement is not in accordance with advertising regulations."
The World Health Organisation has said China needs far-reaching AIDS control to avoid widespread infection.
400,000 infected
It is estimated that more than 400,000 people in the country have already been infected.
However, Aids prevention workers complain that their efforts are being stymied by conservative government officials, who are deeply concerned that advocating condom use will promote promiscuity.
We must find a way to strive to use television to encourage condom use |
| Zheng Xiwen, National Centre for Aids Prevention and Control |
"Television advertisements are very important because their audience is very large. People in the cities and the countryside can watch them. We must find a way to strive to use television to encourage condom use."
According to official figures, intravenous drug use accounts for more than 70% of HIV cases in China, while unsafe sexual contact accounts for less than seven percent.
But health experts say the proportion of sexual infections could double in the next two to three years.
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 | 01 Dec 99 | World |
| Young targeted in Aids ceremonies |
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| 01 Dec 99 | World |
| UN highlights Aids orphans |
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| 23 Nov 99 | Health |
| HIV hits 50 million |
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