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

The president, wearing a crimson ribbon pinned onto his black jacket, encouraged the woman to take care of her health and remain confident in her fight against the disease.

By the end of October 2007, a total of 223,501 people had been officially reported to have contracted HIV, including 62,838 AIDS patients, according to an appraisal report by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS.

Though the rate of AIDS growth has slowed down, the government has admitted the situation remains grave in the country with a population of 1.3 billion. Official reports say there are estimated to be as many as 700,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in China.

Another woman whose husband has contracted HIV showed Hu a photo of her baby boy. "We've just had a baby. You can see it from the picture," said the woman.

The president was relieved when the woman said both she and the baby was "safe". Hu said, "Your life's not easy but your family are very happy."

He told family members of HIV carriers to "bravely face difficulties".

President Hu encouraged doctors and nurses to study treatment techniques to contribute more to the country's AIDS control and prevention, which was "closely linked with the health and life of the masses and the future of the nation".

"Doctors are the main force in combating HIV/AIDS and it also needs concerted efforts from the whole of society," the president told medical staff, noting the task was still "arduous".