Hong Kong ( CNN ) -- With a long red AIDS ribbon pinned to his chest , Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang warned of the grave situation of HIV/AIDS in China , calling it `` not only a medical issue but also a social challenge . '' On the week of World AIDS Day , the man expected to replace Wen Jiabao as premier next year , publicly acknowledged the nation 's challenges with the epidemic . The disease shows no sign of abating in the world 's most populous country . AIDS related-deaths have increased by 8.6 percent to 17,740 deaths , compared with the previous year , according to the country 's health figures . And 68,802 new HIV/AIDS cases were reported this year up to October , according to Chinese state media . But some HIV/AIDS advocates say the number of cases is underestimated , in part because many people who have HIV/AIDS may never have been tested to know their status . CDC : Half of young people with HIV do n't know it . China has grappled with a checkered HIV history that includes a contaminated blood scandal in a central province and , in years past , denying that AIDS was a problem in the country . But recently , China 's elite has appeared to champion HIV/AIDS causes . Peng Liyuan , the wife of China 's presumptive next president , Xi Jinping is the World Health Organization 's Goodwill Ambassador for Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS . Li , who also heads a commission on the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS , met with health activists on Monday and vowed action . `` Li is very friendly and decisive , '' said Li Hu , director of HaiHeZhiXing AIDS Volunteer Group , who met with the leader . `` There are hopes that we can do a better job with leader 's help . '' In statements published in state-run news media , the vice premier pledged greater support and tax breaks for HIV/AIDS organizations , an expansion of free drug treatment for people with the disease and protection of patients from discrimination at hospitals . But Li 's words were of little comfort for a migrant worker who said his family 's life was ruined by AIDS . He traveled to Beijing seeking legal redress and spoke to CNN , requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of HIV/AIDS issues . Opinion : Creating an AIDS-free generation by starting at home . `` I do n't feel anything , '' said the man , about Li 's declaration . He came to the capital from Henan province , where Li had served as governor . His wife gave blood in a blood drive sponsored by local officials in the province in 1997 . As a student , she had been urged to give blood because it was `` an honor , '' the man said . The couple learned last year during a prenatal screening that she has AIDS and will soon learn if their one-year-old child is HIV-positive . He says the family faces financial hardships , and his wife is unable to work because of health problems . While his wife and child receive free AIDS medication from the government , he estimates spending $ 6,500 to treat related infections caused by her weakened immune system that are not covered by the program . Their one-year-old baby can not drink breast milk , due to concerns about HIV infection , he said . Though there 's no way to prove that his wife contracted the disease in the blood drives in Henan in the 1990s , he remains convinced and is planning to make his case in Beijing like many others from the province have . In 1998 , Li became the governor of Henan , one of the most populous provinces in China , which was also one of the areas most devastated by HIV/AIDS . During his stint , there were criticisms related to an HIV/AIDS outbreak linked to local blood banks . State-run media attributed the disease 's spread to `` illegal blood sales and contaminated blood transfusions . '' The central government began tightening controls over the business in the mid-1990s once more was known about HIV and how the virus is spread . While most of the infections happened before Li arrived in Henan , he faced major criticism . Read more : Hillary Clinton unveils 'blueprint ' to combat AIDS . `` We have been criticizing him over the blood scandal in Henan , which many people died in silence without getting medical help , '' said Wan Yanhai , a former government health official turned AIDS advocate . Wan was arrested in 2002 in Beijing after publishing a government report on the spread of AIDS in Henan . `` I do believe [ Li ] has done some good things , if we look at the record of him as a governor and party head , '' Wan said . But he added there was silence during Li 's years in Henan . During Li 's tenure there , journalists trying to write about HIV/AIDS were detained , activists and doctors were sent away , Wan said . He left China in 2010 , citing harassment by authorities . Li 's recent outreach to the HIV/AIDS community was welcomed by Li Hu , an activist based in Tianjin , who called it `` definitely a boost for our work . Policies can only be well executed with their supervision . '' In recent years , China has made a series of progressive reforms . It lifted a ban prohibiting foreigners with HIV from visiting the country in 2010 -- the same year as the United States . China also promised antiretroviral treatment for all patients with HIV in 2003 . A UNAIDS report released last week lauded China for increasing the number of people receiving antiretroviral treatment by 50 % last year . Almost a decade ago , the Chinese government formed a policy called `` Four frees , one care '' that would give free blood tests for those with HIV , free education for AIDS orphans , free consultation and screening tests , and free antiretroviral therapy for pregnant women . But hundreds protested in Henan in August , calling for full implementation of the government 's HIV/AIDS policies across the province .
Vice premier Li Keqiang expressed support for fighting HIV / AIDS in China . Li was criticized during his term as governor resulting from organ donations in Henan . HIV / AIDS patient 's association says government has n't properly addressed past .