Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao told UN officials on Monday that China is determined and
capable of controlling HIV/AIDS
in the country.
"China is still facing serious challenges in HIV/AIDS prevention
and control, but the Chinese government is determined and capable
of curbing the spread of the disease to ensure the people live a
healthy and peaceful life," Wen said in a meeting with Peter Piot,
executive director of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS
(UNAIDS).
China has an estimated 840,000 people infected with HIV,
including 80,000 with full-blown AIDS.
Wen said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the
work of HIV/AIDS prevention and control and has set up a working
mechanism led by the government, coordinated by different
departments, and with the participation of all social sectors.
China's cabinet set up a high-level committee in 2004. The
organization, known as the AIDS Prevention Committee, is headed by
Vice-Premier Wu Yi,
and involves 23 central government departments and institutions,
and leading officials of relevant departments of seven provincial
governments.
Wen said China has formulated its national guideline on HIV/AIDS
prevention and enacted a series of policies. "We have also greatly
increased financial input and manpower into the fight against
HIV/AIDS."
In September 2003, the Chinese government announced that it
would provide free anti-retroviral treatment to AIDS patients in
rural areas and urbanites with financial difficulties. The
government also promised free HIV screening, free therapy to
address mother-to-infant transmission, free infant HIV testing and
financial assistance for orphans whose parents have died of
AIDS.
Wen said China also increased efforts to curb the spread of the
disease among higher-risk groups and enhanced public education to
spread awareness of self-protection and fighting social
discrimination.
"Those efforts have led to significant results," he said, adding
that the Chinese government will continue to intensify their
efforts and make sure that all policies and measures are fully
implemented.
Wen also expressed appreciation for international help, saying
that the Chinese government wants to improve exchanges and
cooperation with the international community to make its due
contribution to the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
Piot said he was deeply impressed with the Chinese government's
determination and its policies.
He said China is playing a positive role in the global fight
against HIV/AIDS and UNAIDS will continue to offer its help and
support.??
(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2005)