Xiao Jun, who comes from a family of illiterate farmers in Sichuan, graduated in 2002 with a degree in music from a teachers' college in the province. Since then, he has worked as a substitute teacher at primary schools, while supplementing his income by undertaking odd jobs.

Last August, Xiao Jun passed an examination given to gauge his qualifications for teaching music to students in a primary school in the county seat. He was asked to report to work on Aug 31. But before starting, he underwent two physical examinations organized by the county education bureau and was found to be HIV positive. The bureau later informed him that it would not offer him the teaching post.

Xiao Jun insisted that he had only contracted HIV and that he could work as well as a non-infected person so long as he does not develop AIDS.

Xiao Jun, who is single and has no girlfriend, said he doesn't know how he contracted the deadly virus. Shortly after learning he is HIV positive, he turned to the non-profit Beijing Yirenping Center, which helped him find his attorney, Xu.

Before Xiao Jun's case came to light, a young HIV carrier in East China's Anhui province had become the first Chinese person to fight employment discrimination directed against an HIV carrier. The man sued the Anqing education bureau in Anhui province after the bureau refused to give him a teaching post.

The court in Anhui ruled against the man in December. He later appealed to a higher court, which has yet to rule on the case, according to Xu.

Xu said he knows Xiao Jun isn't the only HIV carrier who has suffered from prejudice.

"Many don't have the courage to speak out, because they're afraid their information will be leaked," he said. "That could subject them to more discrimination."