Author commends China for lifting HIV travel ban

A Tasmanian author refused entry to China earlier this year has welcomed new travel laws allowing foreigners with HIV/AIDS to enter the country.

Robert Dessaix was denied a visa to China after he accepting an invitation to the Australian Literary Festival in Beijing and Shanghai.

Authorities told him his visa was rejected because he is HIV-positive.

Dessaix says he hopes the changes to China's travel laws will lead to other countries around the world lifting similar restrictions.

"First the United States and now China is coming to view us just as people with a problem, but not people that need to be banned," he said.

"I think it's a very progressive step on China's part."

Dessaix added he has no immediate plans to travel to China.