China has launched an AIDS awareness campaign targeting rural
laborers working in cities in Beijing on Thursday, the 18th World
AIDS Day.
"Although China has made progress in the prevention and
treatment of AIDS, the epidemic still does not allow for the
slightest bit of optimism," Chinese vice premier Wu Yi
said at the kickoff of the campaign which is called "Controlling
AIDS: Honoring our Commitment".
Wu said prevention and treatment of AIDS remains a very arduous
task, which makes it necessary to mobilize resources of a wider
range for the efforts, adding that a "widespread and far reaching
publicity campaign" should have a significant impact.
By the end of September, China had 135,630 reported cases of HIV
infection.
Wu called on AIDS prevention agencies to inform the public of
the causes of AIDS, methods of prevention and help rural workers
develop healthy lifestyles while dispelling unnecessary panic.
She ordered various levels of government and agencies to
organize a variety of cultural and entertainment activities to
enrich the lives of rural laborers working in cities.
"Draw them to healthy and meaningful activities. Keep them away
from AIDS," said Wu.
China has 120 million rural laborers working in urban areas and
a lot more are expected to flow into cities and towns in the coming
years. A large number of them are sexually active but have a poor
understanding of communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
Addressing the campaign launch ceremony on behalf of UN
organizations in China, the World Health Organization's
representative to China Henk Bekedam affirmed China's effective
measures to contain the spread of AIDS, calling the publicity
campaign a landmark that will play an important role in protecting
the health and lives of rural workers in cities.
More than 1,500 people attended the ceremony, organized by a
work committee under the State Council for the prevention and
treatment of AIDS and several other organizations.
(Xinhua News Agency December 2, 2005)