This article reports high levels of awareness about HIV prevention methods among women sex workers in southern China. It shows the women are using a range of contraceptive practices, and different methods to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). This indicates that there will be high levels of willingness to use vaginal microbicides and female condoms when these become available. However, promoting the use of these new female-initiated prevention methods will have to take account of the specific context of sex work, and also differences in knowledge and use of prevention methods according to age and ethnicity.