By Nellie Peyton

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -China has pledged $3.49 million to support HIV prevention services in South Africa over the next two years under a new partnership facilitated by UNAIDS, Beijing’s ambassador said on Thursday.

South Africa, which has the world’s largest population of people living with HIV, previously relied on the U.S. for about 17% of its HIV budget – over $400 million a year – before Washington slashed foreign aid early this year.

Pretoria is now trying to plug the gap with domestic resources and support from other partners.

The Chinese grant will go towards HIV prevention services for young people and people who inject drugs as two of the groups at highest risk of HIV infection.

“We are honoured to deepen our longstanding partnership with South Africa throu

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