China could lift travel restrictions for foreigners who suffer from HIV and AIDS ahead of the 2010 Expo, a prestigious international fair to begin in Shanghai on May 1, China Daily newspaper said on Wednesday.

A total of 74 countries still maintain various travel restrictions for HIV sufferers, according to the World AIDS Campaign. China, the United States, The United Arab Emirates, South Korea and seven other countries do not allow HIV-positive foreigners to enter their countries.

"Although no specific date has been named, changes are very likely. They may be announced before the official opening of the Shanghai Expo, which is expected to attract 4 million foreign visitors," the paper quoted deputy chief of China's disease prevention and control department Hao Yang as saying.

He also said that rules on the long-term stay, residence and immigration of HIV/AIDS sufferers would also be revised "in the near future."

At the moment Chinese legislation also bars foreigners suffering from leprosy and mental disorders from entering the country.

According to official statistics, there are 740,000 HIV-positive people living in China.

BEIJING, April 21 (RIA Novosti)