Internet users have expressed doubts about a textbook specially designed for anti-AIDS education in Beijing's primary and middle schools.

 

The textbook, the first of its kind in the country, went into use in Beijing in September. It aims to teach students about the prevention of AIDS and introduces the theory of ABC - standing for Abstinence, Be faithful, and correct and consistent Condom use.

 

It advocates abstinence from sex till marriage and the use of condoms, and denounces cyber love, smoking and drinking.

 

It also calls for the eradication of discrimination against people with HIV and AIDS.

 

Some Internet users have questioned the textbook's support for abstinence till marriage, and its disapproval of cyber love, smoking and drinking.

 

"According to the textbook, a person should not have sex before marriage, so why does he need condoms," said a posting on Netease.com, one of China's largest portals.

 

Another posting said, "If a man never gets married, does the textbook suggest he can never have sex his whole life long? That's a bit against human rights, isn't it?"

 

A netizen called "Zealot1984" said he sees no direct link between AIDS and cyber love, smoking and drinking. "Wouldn't it be more reasonable for the textbook to outlaw drug use rather than cigarettes and alcohol? And why would one think cyber love can lead to AIDS? I met my girlfriend on the Internet. We are fine," he said.

 

Supporters of the textbook - who were in the minority - emphasized that the education was designed for teenagers, who were more vulnerable and more likely to be taken advantage of in cyber love and in other activities that the textbook warns about.

 

The Ministry of Health said 183,733 people had officially contracted HIV in China by the end of October, 28 percent up on the end of last year. Experts warn that the epidemic is spreading from high-risk groups to the general public.

 

China's Ministry of Education started an anti-AIDS campaign last year, demanding all middle schools include anti-AIDS education as part of the curriculum.

 

According to a survey conducted by Huo Jinzhi, a professor from the medical school of Soochow University in Jiangsu Province, 4.6 percent of junior middle school students in China have had some kind of sexual experience, while the number is 4.2 percent in senior middle schools.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 29, 2006)