There is mounting evidence for a rapidly growing HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men in China. Over one-third of new infections across the country are among MSM, with HIV prevalence estimates in some south-western cities approaching 17 percent. A large-scale survey in 2008-09 that spanned 61 cities found an average prevalence in medium and large cities of about 5 percent.
Men who have sex with men have been largely absent from national AIDS strategies until recent years. Sentinel surveillance began to include MSM in 2002 and a specific strategy to implement a comprehensive response to HIV among MSM began being implemented in 2009.
