Chinese court rejects HIV discrimination case

A Chinese court has ruled against a man who says he was denied a teaching job because he is HIV positive, his lawyer says.

The plaintiff, identified only by his alias Xiao Wu, filed the claim against the education department of Anqing in eastern Anhui province.

He said that he had passed the academic tests and interviews for the job but was rejected after a health screening.

State media said it was China's first such discrimination case.

A lawyer for the man said he planned to challenge the ruling.

"The plaintiff is not satisfied with the verdict. We have decided to appeal," Zheng Jineng told AFP news agency.

The man, a recent graduate in his early 20s, said when proceedings began that he was not asking for compensation but wanted to be given "the job he deserves", according to the China Daily.

Officials say an estimated 740,000 Chinese people are living with HIV/Aids.

Many face discrimination in employment, education and healthcare because of the stigma attached to the virus.