President Hu tells HIV carriers, communities not to be daunted by disease

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday shakes hands with a female HIV carrier when visiting a local center for disease control and prevention in Chaoyang District of Beijing. (Xinhua Photo)

Television footage carried by China Central Television showed a camera lens zooming in on Hu's hands holding that of a female HIV carrier. The president made similar handshakes three years ago.

The woman, who was diagnosed with HIV in 2004, came to the voluntary consulting testing (VCT) clinic of the center on Friday morning to make inquiries about AIDS.

She told Hu that she had "no obvious physical discomfort" at present as the disease was in the incubation period, and the disease control and prevention center made regular phone calls to remind her to come for check-ups.

"Thanks to the timely and effective help of doctors when I was in utmost despair, they dragged me out of agony and the disease has been contained," said the woman who gave Hu a book written by herself as a gift.

According to the woman, the book, describing her experience before and after the infection, "served as a warning to make more people keep their distance from the disease, and showed her gratitude toward society".

Turning the pages, Hu told the woman in a white sweater with shoulder-length black hair, "I'm so happy that you always have a positive outlook on life, bravely fight against the disease and actively throw yourself into disease prevention and control."

"Such a spirit deserves respect and admiration," he said.