The six targets to be reached by 2015 are:

- Reduce sexual transmission of HIV by 50% by 2015

- Reduce transmission of HIV among people who inject drugs by 50% by 2015

- Eliminate new HIV infections among children by 2015 and substantially reduce AIDS-related maternal deaths

- Reach 15 million people living with HIV with lifesaving antiretroviral treatment by 2015

- Reduce tuberculosis deaths in people living with HIV by 50% by 2015

- Close the global AIDS resource gap by 2015 and reach annual global investment of 22–24 billion US dollars in low- and middle-income countries.

PD Online: How do you comment China's efforts in achieving the ten targets in global AIDS response?

Kraus: China’s strong commitment, both in terms of financial resources and political leadership has led to important progress in recent years. In terms of expanding access to treatment, China has made huge progress, with treatment coverage increasing almost tenfold between 2005 and 2013. China has created the world’s largest drug harm reduction program, and has seen significant reductions in HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs. China has also shown important leadership by eliminating HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence in China and by committing to almost entirely fund its domestic response.

PD Online: What challenges China is facing to HIV/AIDS response?

Kraus: Despite the progress, challenges remain. There is a need to take action to address sexual transmission of HIV, particularly among key affected populations including men who have sex with men, amongst whom HIV prevalence continues to rise. This will require strong engagement of community based organizations which can access those most at risk with lifesaving prevention, treatment and testing services. Stigma and discrimination remain important challenges in China, and people living with HIV report facing discrimination in a variety of settings, including health care, education and employment settings.

Achieving further progress towards the ten targets will require greater support for, and engagement of communities, stronger prioritization of China’s response towards those most at risk of HIV, combined with a systematic effort to eliminate stigma and discrimination in all settings.