Chinese president shakes hands with AIDS patiens

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday called on all members of society to show care and love for AIDS patients and eliminate any forms of discrimination against HIV carriers and AIDS patients, so that all AIDS victims can "feel the warmth of society".

The top Chinese leader made the remarks in the "Home of Love" --a non-governmental organization dedicated to AIDS prevention and treatment in the Beijing You'an Hospital. In the hospital the president visited AIDS patients, shook hands and talked with them, and saluted the medical workers and volunteers who work there.

Hu, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), urged governments and Party Committees at all levels to get fully aware of the importance and urgency of AIDS prevention and treatment in China, saying that governments at all levels should put AIDS prevention and treatment high on their work agenda and mobilize all sectors of society to fight the fatal disease.

"China has in recent years made encouraging progress in AIDS prevention and treatment. But the country is still facing a grave situation in this regard, and the Party and the whole of society need to make further efforts," Hu said.

Hu said governments at all levels should popularize AIDS prevention knowledge among the public, advocate a civilized and healthy lifestyle, and constantly improve citizens' awareness and ability of AIDS prevention, so as to effectively curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.

"The government should provide medical treatment and aid for HIV carriers and AIDS patients, safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, and help them overcome difficulties in their lives," he said.

The president encouraged medical workers to, in the spirit of humanitarianism, shoulder the responsibility of treating AIDS patients, assiduously study AIDS treatment expertise, and make innovations to better help AIDS patients to fight the disease.