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Premier meets top UNAIDS official

Updated: May 4,2015 8:24 PM     english.gov.cn

Premier Li Keqiang (Right) meets Michel Sidibe, deputy secretary-general of the United Nations and executive director of UNAIDS.[Photo/China News Service]

Premier Li Keqiang met Michel Sidibe, deputy secretary-general of the United Nations and executive director of UNAIDS, and Mark Dybul, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, on May 4.

Premier Li said epidemic diseases, including, AIDS are a common challenge faced by the entire mankind; and the Chinese government is paying close attention to prevent AIDS with more efforts and budgetary allocations. He said China has drawn lessons from advanced treatment methods in other countries, offers care to patients and the infected, and strives to eliminate social discrimination and to realize the Millennium Development Goals set by the UN.

The Premier said the Chinese government has decided to set up AIDS prevention funds with the participation of social organizations. With financial support from the central government budget as well as donations in and outside China, the funds will to facilitate more social organizations to take part in AIDS prevention.

Premier Li Keqiang met Michel Sidibe (2nd L), deputy secretary-general of the United Nations and executive director of UNAIDS, and Mark Dybul (L), executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, on May 4. [Photo/China News Service]

Premier Li said China hopes UN organizations offer more financial, technical, information and scientific support to China, as it is still a developing country. Such support will strengthen China’s capability to tackle epidemic diseases including AIDS, and help China cooperate with African countries in medical research, he added. China offered emergency funds and materials to Ebola-hit areas in west Africa last year. The country is willing to continue to work with the international community in public sanitation, including the prevention of epidemic diseases.

Sidibe and Dybul said the Chinese government has not only boosted economic development but also public health, which is a good example for other developing countries, and even the world. UNAIDS and the Global Fund deeply appreciate China’s efforts and tremendous progress in preventing AIDS and other epidemic diseases. China’s contribution to help African countries fight Ebola is also highly valued, they added.

Vice-Premier Liu Yandong was also present at the meeting.