With colorful kites, art exhibits and inspirational performances across Beijing from the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium to the chic 798 Art District, Chinese and U.N. organizers marked World AIDS Day with a commitment to wage battle against the epidemic threatening the world's most populous nation.
The display of broad unity, with the attendance of some AIDS activists that have been targets of China's sporadic crackdowns in the past, was a touching tribute to this year's theme of "One Goal, One Dream - of a World without Stigma"
"Stigma and discrimination are major obstacles in an effective response to AIDS," said Health Minister Chen Zhu at the launch of the campaign at the Bird's Nest Olympic stadium. "We need to engage all sectors of society in China to combat these issues and work to stop the disease."
People walk past a giant red ribbon set up on the facade of the Bird's Nest during a World AIDS Day event in Beijing.China has an estimated 700,000 people who are HIV-positive, with about 85,000 people suffering from full-blown AIDS, according to estimates released by the Chinese government and U.N. health organizations. In comparison, just over 1.1 million Americans are estimated to be infected with HIV.
Dr. Wan Yanhai, left, with staff at an AIDS exhibit in Beijing
YES!
Robots tread the boards in world's first 'robot play' :D
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Britney Spears' X-Factor Performance :D
