"It must be reported timely and faithfully. And anyone who intends to hide the epidemic should take responsibility and will be severely punished," Wu said during a national conference on HIV/AIDS in Beijing Wednesday.

Wu's comments which appeared in the China Daily mark the first time China's leaders have threatened punishment for covering-up the deadly disease.

Her approach appeared to be based on China's experience with the SARS epidemic last year when officials only began revealing cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome after they were ordered to by central authorities.

An early cover-up in reporting contributed to the disease spreading from China to more than 30 countries and killing nearly 800 people worldwide.

Following SARS, international experts have been urging Chinese officials to use the same tough approach towards HIV/AIDS -- a disease more devastating than SARS.

Wu told officials from various regions of the country attending the conference that prevention and control work on AIDS is at a vital stage.

"The epidemic is at a critical point of spreading from high-risk groups to common people," Wu said.

"We can completely contain the momentum if we take it seriously. Otherwise, we will lose this best, fleeting opportunity ... The consequences will be serious."

China, since Wu became acting health minister during the SARS crisis, has paid unprecedented attention to the HIV/AIDS issues.

The government estimates there are 840,000 people infected with HIV/AIDS, but international experts believe the total number of infections is much higher and have warned there could be 10 million cases by 2010.

TERRA.WIRE