Premier Wen pledges gov't effort to prevent AIDS

Tuesday marks the 22nd World AIDS Day. Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice Premier Li Keqiang visited the people with HIV at Beijing's Ditan Hospital. The Premier believes the health-care rights of HIV carriers is of great importance, and pledged strong government efforts to prevent and control the spread of the disease.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (front C) shakes hands with a German HIV expert  while Vice Premier Li Keqiang (3rd R) looks on at the Beijing Home of Red  Ribbon in Ditan Hospital in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Visiting people with HIV is a routine for Chinese leaders on AIDS Day. Premier Wen Jiabao went to Beijing Ditan hospital to talk with people who carry the virus, medical workers and volunteers.

The AIDS organization Red Ribbon Family was set up five years ago. Wen Jiabao talked to HIV patients who have received free treatment with the help of the organization and the government. In some the disease has been controlled and the lead normal lives.

Premier Wen Jiabao said, "All patients with HIV should be confident and never give up. You should keep on receiving treatment, taking medicines, and doing physical exercises. You should live on and never give up ..."