MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON HIV/AIDS COOPERATION
BETWEEN
THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
AND
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Recognizing the pandemic of human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and its impact in the world, recalling the Memorandum of Understanding on HIV/AIDS Cooperation Between the Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China and the Department of Health and Human Services of  the  United States of America, signed on June 28, 2002, the Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China and the Department of Health and Human Services of the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as “the Participants”), intend to further expand cooperation in the fight against HIV/AIDS as outlined below:

Section One

The Participants intend to promote and further develop cooperation in the fields of the prevention, treatment, and care of and research into HIV/AIDS, on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit.

Section Two

The main areas of cooperation are likely to be the following:

1. A systemic review of the cooperative programs over the previous five years;
2. The development of innovative intervention strategies to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS;
3. Research into vaccines, microbicides, medicines, test kits and new treatments for HIV/AIDS;
4. The development of new treatment methodologies for people who are living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) and its sequelae, including psychological and social support for Chinese PLWA and their families;
5. The use of multiple strategies to provide confidential, voluntary testing and counseling, including provider-initiated testing, especially for high-risk groups in China ;
6. The development of effective methods and strategies for collecting reliable and valid disease-surveillance data in China, assuring the quality control of that data and data analysis, and developing systematic monitoring and evaluation;
7. The development of new strategies for enhancing the safety of the blood supply in China, and reducing HIV transmission in health-care settings;
8. Cooperation on the implementation and evaluation of projects financed by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria;
9. Training Chinese health-care professionals and personnel in the care and treatment of PLWA;
10. Evaluations of the efficacy of treatment of PLWA with anti-retroviral drugs; and,
11. Exchanges of information on the latest methods of medical treatment for HIV/AIDS.

Section Three

Cooperation between the two countries may take the following forms, among others:

1. Collaboration among scientists between the two countries to conduct research and research training on AIDS, including basic scientific, clinical, and operational studies;
2. Information and scientific exchanges, and the sharing of experiences;
3. Encouraging attendance at professional and scientific meetings by specialists from both countries;
4. Encouraging direct links between appropriate institutes and institutions of both countries;
5. Bilateral cooperation on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and research at the global level and in third countries;
6. Training scientific and managing staff and exchanging technical staff between the Participants;
7. Encouraging the transfer of key technology in the area of HIV/AIDS research; And,
8. Policy dialogue and exchange of information in advance of the governing bodies of international organizations, including the Global Fund, the World Health Organization (and its Western Pacific Regional Office) and the joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

Section Four

The Participants are to undertake all activities pursuant to this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in accordance with the laws and regulations of the United States and the People's Republic of China,  subject to the availability of personnel, resources, and appropriated funds.  This MOU does not create legally binding obligations.  The Participants are to develop management mechanism for implementing this MOU through mutual consultations. The Participants are to resolve an dispute regarding the interpretation or implementation of this MOU is to be resolved through mutual consultations.

Section Five

Activities under this MOU are expected to begin upon signature by the designated representatives of both Participants, and may continue for a period of five years.  The Participants may continue activities for additional five-year periods by mutual written consent.  The Participants may amend this MOU by mutual written consent, and either Participant may terminate at any time upon giving 60 days’ written notice to the other Participant.

Signed on the ______day of ___________200_, in__________, in duplicate, in the Chinese and English languages.

FOR THE                                                          FOR THE
MINISTRY OF HEALTH OF THE                              DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA:                             AND HUMAN SERVICES OF THE
                                                                      UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: