Dr. Wang Longde, Vice Minister of Health,
Statement at the High-Level Meeting of the GA on HIV/AIDS
2 June 2005
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Mr. Chairman,

Remarkable progress has been made in the global combat against AIDS since the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS was adopted at the 26th Special Session in June, 2001. Tremendous efforts have been made and achievements gained in all countries in terms of political commitment from the government, AIDS prevention, treatment and support, human rights, gender equality, mobilization and utilization of resources, surveillance and evaluation and so forth.

We are pleased to see that in terms of resource mobilization, many countries have increased budget for the prevention and treatment of AIDS. The funding on AIDS has been raised by a large margin around the globe. Information shows that the total funding on AIDS in developing countries had risen from around 300 million US dollars in 1996 to 6.1 billion US dollars in 2004, 2 billion of which come from the developing countries. The financial increase has laid a solid foundation, whereby preventive and treatment measures on AIDS can be effectively implemented, which has, to some extent, stalled the spread of the AIDS epidemic.

We support proposals made at this meeting to expand potential financing resources, continue increasing current resources, and fulfill commitments and pledges. We also take note of current researches on resource demand, and agree with opinions expressed at the meeting to enhance and reform the capacity of prevention and treatment, so as to incorporate funds form different sources to be utilized for one strategy, in order to effectively prevent and control the prevalence and spread of AIDS. Meanwhile, we hope developed countries and donor agencies could fulfill their obligations and make concrete efforts in the global fight against AIDS.

The Chinese government is highly committed to the prevention and treatment of AIDS, established State Council Working Committee on HIV/AIDS, and issued China's Middle- and Long-Term Program on the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS (1998-2010) and China's Action Plan on Containing, Preventing and Treating HIV/AIDS (2001-2005). Such significant policies as "four frees and one care" have been worked out. Health education has been extensively conducted and intervention measures implemented. Efforts have been made to increase the accessibility of medicine, and to scale up efforts of treatment. China's advantage is fully exploited in treating patients with traditional Chinese medicine and so on. Governmental budget allocated to the prevention and treatment of AIDS has also kept increasing. The Chinese Central Government allocated a direct budget worth 1.2 billion RMB yuan in 2003-2004 for AIDS control, and plans to another 3.86 billion RMB yuan in 2005-2007, vigorously promoting the work on the prevention and treatment of AIDS in China.

Being very much committed to international cooperation and exchanges on AIDS control, the Chinese government has conducted very good bilateral cooperation with such countries as the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan. It ahs maintained close cooperation with WHO, UNDP, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. More and more non-governmental agencies, such as Clinton Foundation, the Merck Company of the United States and the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, have taken part in China's combat against AIDS. They play a very important role in intervention, treatment and advocacy and education, etc. According to relevant data, China has received support or pledges equivalent 1.137 billion RMB yuan from these countries, organizations and agencies.

AIDS is a common enemy of all mankind, and it is our common goal to conquer it. We stand ready to work with the international community to explore strategies and measures of preventing and treating AIDS, share experience, and earnestly implement the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, contributing to global control of HIV/AIDS.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.
 

SOURCE: Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the UN