China says it has made great endeavors to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS disease both at home and abroad. Its efforts to eliminate discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients in the country have also achieved tangible results. CRI's Zheng Chenguang reports.

Reporter:

One day ahead of the World's AIDS Day which falls on December 1st, China kicked off publicity campaigns across the country to promote people's awareness over AIDS prevention and eliminate discrimination against the disease.

Wang Weizhen, a senior official with the Ministry of Health,says the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus in China has generally slowed down, although certain groups in particular areas have a greater risk of contracting it.

"According to statistics, the number of HIV infections in 2007 reached 50 thousand, which is a 30 percent decrease compared with the year 2005. The epidemic is not prevalent in general, but is highly prevalent among specific groups such as migrant workers, and in some regions, particularly remote areas and the countryside."

Peter Piot, Executive Director of the UNAIDS, praised China's efforts to control the spread of the disease and to fulfill 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."

China's Ministry of Health confirmed the latest number of HIV cases in the country to over 264,000, including some 77,000 AIDS patients.

Experts say efforts to scrap discrimination against AIDS patients are vital to chalk up effective prevention, treatment, care and support for them.

Pu Cunxin is China's AIDS awareness ambassador.

"Through our efforts in these years, people's knowledge and awareness about AIDS have been increased significantly. This is a big step forward."

Besides combating the AIDS at home, China has also helped other countries to fight the disease, especially African countries.

In Zimbabwe, the overseas Chinese there have financed to build an orphanage and primary school for kids who have contracted the disease. The Chinese Embassy to Zimbabwe has also launched a campaign to adopt aids orphans among the Zimbabwean Chinese.

Yuan Nansheng is Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe.

"Our actions have expressed the care from the Chinese government and people. China is willing to provide support to AIDS patients in Zimbabwe together with the international community."

Globally there are about 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS, 23 million of which are in Sub-Saharan African countries.

Zheng Chenguang, CRI news.