China's Health Ministry detailed a plan to fight co-infection of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) on August 3.

A ministry circular to health authorities across China said TB infection had become one of the leading causes of death among people living with HIV.

The ministry ordered HIV/AIDS prevention and control authorities nationwide and those responsible for fighting TB to step up cooperation in data sharing and testing.

The ministry ordered free treatment and follow-up visits to patients co-infected with HIV and TB once detected.

It required HIV/AIDS prevention authorities to provide at least one TB examination to people with HIV or AIDS patients every year.

An estimated 700,000 people live with HIV in China. In 2008, China reported that AIDS had become the country's leading lethal infectious disease for the first time.