App provides anonymous HIV tests

HIV infection via blood transfusions has been almost eliminated, while infections among drug users through injections and mother-to-child transmissions have been curtailed.

Gao said containing transmission of the virus through sexual contact has become the most important aspect of HIV control.

In September, the Chinese government introduced a three-year plan to curb the spread of HIV, with the internet to play an important role.

Blued said in a report that its HIV/AIDS-related public service messages on its app have received nearly 24 million views.

Zhang said the online testing reservation system has won support from government departments.

So far, more than 90 AIDS-prevention organizations have used the platform to spread their messages and nearly 200 HIV testing stations nationwide have joined the network.

"To protect privacy and prompt more people to take the test, one only needs to provide the last four digits of their phone number," Zhou said, adding a pseudonym can also be used. Only those who test positive for HIV are required to produce their ID cards for final confirmation from local disease control centers.

According to the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, a total of 2,669 new HIV/AIDS cases were reported in the first 10 months of this year, down 7.1 percent year-on-year.

Since the first case in 1985, Beijing reported 32,268 HIV/AIDS cases as of the end of October. Of those, 22,147 are still alive, the commission said.

The theme of this year's World AIDS Day on Dec 1 was "Communities make the difference".

Zhang said online communities must play an important role in fighting HIV, especially in China, a country with a highly developed mobile internet industry. This practical experience could then be passed on to the rest of the world, he said.

Xinhua