An option that developing countries with a large scientific base, such as China, should explore more systematically is the strengthening and expansion of the R & D needed to address the diseases prevalent in those countries, including HIV/AIDS. China may have significant cost advantages to undertake R & D in complex fields (including genomics, proteomics and other new fields) and become an important player in the discovery of new medicines and treatment. This could be done on the basis of public investment at the national level, or through partnerships with other countries, for the public good, that is, in order to make available new therapeutic options for non-profit purposes. Of course, several modalities may also be envisaged to recoup investments in R & D as well as to establish partnerships with the private sector.