CRI听力：China Promotes Public Awareness of AIDS

China has gone all out in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS disease, including promoting people's awareness over AIDS prevention and eliminating discrimination against the disease.

CRI's Yun Feng has more.

Reporter:

One day ahead of World's AIDS Day on December 1st, China kicked off publicity campaigns across the country.

But a random survey with passersby shows that public awareness is still low.

"I don't know a lot about the day December 1st."

"Is it a symbol for any kind of volunteer? I'm not sure."

Official statistics reveal over 60 percent of people refuse to talk about the disease in public.

A senior official says efforts to scrap discrimination against AIDS patients are vital to chalk up effective prevention, treatment, care and support for them AIDS infectors. Han Mengjie is from the State Council AIDS Working Committee Office.

"Infected people who are afraid of social discrimination dare not to come to our inspection stations. They miss out on our free services and their opportunity of treatment. What's more, because many often don't know they are infected, the virus can be spread accidentally. "

Echoing his point, Pu Cunxin, China's AIDS awareness ambassador, said China has undertaken a series of national activities to enhance public knowledge about disease prevention, especially among young people.

Ding Lu is a freshmen at a Beijing university. She has always paid attention to the prevention of the epidemic.

"Our university attaches great importance to the promotion of knowledge on AIDS prevention. We have educational lectures and posters, as well as many other activities. "

Pu Cunxin said tangible results have been achieved.(WWw.hxen.net)

"Through our efforts over these years, public knowledge and awareness about AIDS has increased significantly. This is a big step forward."

The improvement of social awareness of AIDS in China is welcomed by International Organizations. Peter Piot, Executive Director of the UNAIDS, praised China's efforts to control the spread of the disease and fulfil the UN's Millennium Development Goals in combating HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

"I think today marks an example of the commitment that the Chinese government and the Chinese people will work harder and faster to reach the Millennium Development Goals. There is still a long way to go, but I think with this commitment we are able to manage."

Yun Feng, CRI news.