Wen Jiabao pledges more efforts to fight AIDS

BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday pledged that the government will do more to prevent and control the spread of AIDS.

Wen made the remarks in a meeting with representatives of HIV carriers, children orphaned by AIDS, medical and health science staff, volunteers, petitioners and people from relevant international organizations in Zhongnanhai, the headquarters of the central government in downtown Beijing.

"I have met before with many people present at the meeting, and some have become old friends of mine," said Wen.

He said he has participated in activities for AIDS prevention and control, spent the Spring Festival with AIDS patients and their family members and met children with AIDS or children orphaned by AIDS in Zhongnanhai every year during his 10-year tenure.

"I feel gratified seeing that the HIV-carriers I met before are recovering through treatment and the children have grown up. But some HIV carriers and AIDS patients I met have passed away. Thinking of them, I always feel that we should do our work better and more meticulously," said Wen.

The premier said he can feel the harm that AIDS does to people's lives and health as well as the government's great responsibility.

Wen expressed admiration for the health experts, medical staff and volunteers for their relentless efforts in fighting AIDS.

The 25th World AIDS Day will fall on Saturday.