China's HIV/Aids epidemic is less severe than previously thought, according to official figures yesterday endorsed by the UN.

In a 22% improvement on the last set of statistics in 2003, the authorities now estimate 650,000 people are infected. The World Health Organisation said the discrepancy reflected the difficulty of collecting data in such a large country.

With 70,000 infections last year, the UN believes its worst-case scenario of 10m cases by 2010 is unrealistic. The WHO said China's aim to limit HIV/Aids cases to 1.5m by the end of the decade was a "good challenge".