Beijing hosts inauguration ceremony of World AIDS Day activity

Peng Liyuan, WHO goodwill ambassador for HIV/AIDS prevention and control (second from the left), attends the ceremony.

An inauguration ceremony of the World AIDS Day themed activity was held in Peking University on Nov 30. The activity was themed around enjoying youth. A red ribbon health envoy also visited the campus.

Li Bin, minister of the NHFPC; Wang Guoqiang, vice minister of the NHFPC; Wang Hongyan, secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League; Zhang Wenkang, chairman of the Chinese Association of STD/AIDS Prevention and Control; Zhu Shanlu, Party secretary of Peking University; and Wang Enge, president of Peking University, attended the event. Peng Liyuan, WHO goodwill ambassador for HIV/AIDS prevention and control, was invited to the activity.

This year's Dec 1 marks the 27th World AIDS Day. The theme of this year remains "Getting to Zero", with a focus on joint efforts to break difficulties and contain HIV/AIDS. The activity aims to hammer home to all society the importance, chronicity, arduousness and complexity of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment through a series of publicity and education sessions. It calls upon all governments, departments, social organizations and volunteers to work together to combat the disease, reach the 2011-2015 goal and contain the epidemic.

Wang Guoqiang introduced China's achievements in HIV/AIDS prevention and control as well as the grim situation at the moment. Wang Hongyan explained HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League for teenagers. Zhang Wenkang introduced the main content of the theme activity this year. Bai Yansong, publicity ambassador of China Red Ribbon Foundation; Wang Kerong, head nurse of the red ribbon department of Beijing Ditan Hospital; and young volunteers asked students to value the health of themselves and others. Jiang Wenli, an artist, gave a poem reading with children afflicted with the disease. Students from Peking University showed their action as volunteers. Participants all kicked off the themed activity, which invited 16 public figures from art and sports fields to act as red ribbon health ambassadors for HIV/AIDS prevention and control on campus.