The first fund earmarked by the State Council exclusively for civil societies combating HIV/AIDS is open for applications and non-governmental organizations are encouraged and financially supported by the government to participate.

Wu Zunyou, director of the National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention said civil societies had always played an indispensable role in the country's fight against the illness, particularly for their ability to reach susceptible groups.

As international funding in the field has gradually left China, "the government is determined to make up for that to continuously support anti-AIDS efforts by NGOs," Wu said.

Central government has initially invested 50 million yuan ($790,000) this year which will be distributed upon successful applications.

It will mainly support projects concerning high-risk behavior intervention, preventive knowledge dissemination and information support and care for suffers, Wu said.

shanjuan@chinadaily.com.cn