BEIJING, Dec. 1 -- President Hu Jintao is pledging to mobilize communities to improve efforts to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS. He and other state leaders took part in a gathering of AIDS prevention volunteers yesterday Monday, one day ahead of World AIDS Day.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) talks with a volunteer from a medical university while taking part in a gathering of AIDS prevention volunteers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 30, 2009, a day before the 22nd World AIDS Day. Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (3rd, R) also attended the gathering. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) Photo Gallery>>>

    This is the fourth time in six years that President Hu Jintao has attended activities ahead of World AIDS Day.

    These high-profile events showcase the government's resolve to tackle the growing AIDS problems and help remove the social stigma against HIV-positive people.

    On Monday, Hu Jintao visited the China National Convention Center. Here, volunteers have launched a weekly HIV prevention campaign to improve awareness at schools, communities and construction sites.

    President Hu Jintao stressed that society should mobilize its resources to address the issue properly. He encouraged volunteers to use creative ways to spread information about AIDS prevention.

    Officials from UNAIDS China office also attended the event. Hu Jintao thanked the international community and overseas friends for their support in China's fight against HIV/AIDS.

    Last year, the President shook hands with an AIDS patient at Beijing Ditan hospital. This year, Hu Jintao spoke to them again by video phone.

    President Hu said, "I feel very happy to see that you and your baby have stayed healthy. I hope you can keep up the spirit, continue your treatment, and recover soon. I hope your baby can grow up healthily, and happily."

    Later, Hu Jintao joined volunteers to make red ribbons which were placed on a wall in the shape of a heart.

    Hu Jintao called for volunteers to help reduce discrimination against AIDS patients and people who test HIV positive.

    President Hu said, "Thanks to your volunteer work, we have made great achievements in the past year. But we must see that there are still tough tasks ahead to prevent and control the spread of AIDS and volunteers have lots of work to do. We need to guide society so that there is less discrimination against people who suffer HIV/AIDS."

    The activity ended with the president and volunteers joining together to sing a song calling for more love and concern for AIDS patients and HIV carriers.

    (Source: CCTV.com)

Special Report: World AIDS Day 2009