AIDS was first identified in China in a sick tourist back in 1985. Several years later, a local outbreak was discovered among the needle-sharing population of Yunnan along the Burmese border. Today, it’s a national epidemic.

Gabe Suk, founder of PTE (Prevention Through Education) in China, has dedicated himself to the fight against the virus.

How would you describe the HIV and AIDS situation in China today?

If you look at it only in the context of China, it’s worrying in the sense of the escalation of infection rates. If you look at it in the context of the world, it’s nothing like South Africa, and that’s an important perspective to keep in mind – not to downplay what’s happening here, but to highlight the opportunity to nip it before it gets to a point where it can’t be managed. What’s worrying about China is that it just keeps going up.

What’s the average teenager’s understanding of AIDS and AIDS prevention here?

It depends where you are. If I were to generalise, the average teenager’s understanding of AIDS is that it’s a virus that affects bad people; they probably don’t even know that it’s a virus – a sickness that infects bad people.

"I don’t think that a teacher talking about safe sex or contraception is going to be a game changer. It has to be cultural, it has to be communities’ views."

Which areas in China are most affected?

Obviously the Golden Triangle would be one of the most affected areas [the opium-producing area that crosses China’s Yunnan province, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand], simply because of needle sharing. But then, if you look at Beijing, we’re facing a growing epidemic among men who have sex with men. I think in Beijing, that’s something that’s really worrying right now. Then there’s the blood selling in Henan, which is not talked about too much, and also there are the commercial sex workers.

How are people infected with the virus likely to be treated socially?

Not well. That’s one of PTE’s main focuses. It’s one of the greatest hindrances to taking on the virus head on. People who are HIV positive are very likely to be ostracised from their work communities and from their family communities. That comes from lack of understanding and that comes from fear.

How is it that in a country with a one-child policy there doesn’t seem to be a greater understanding of safe sex and contraception?

Well, I don’t know how it relates to the one-child policy but it’s definitely true. And there’s certainly an issue – and I’ve seen it in South Africa, too – where the perception is that if you’re having a sexual relationship with someone that you’re close with, then using a condom is a sign of mistrust. But if you meet some girl at the club then maybe it’s more appropriate.

What age levels are PTE trying to reach?

We’ll take anyone who comes our way. In the migrant schools we tend to train them a little bit younger, that’s simply because kids are not in school much past 15, 16. But online, we want anyone and everyone. Obviously online we have a much broader reach, too.

How do schools respond when you approach them with your programs?

Really well. I’m always impressed with the enthusiasm that the students and the teachers put into it. Some of it is just an awareness that they should care about it, even if they don’t know why or what it is. We haven’t had any massively negative responses.