China CDC holds meeting on 40th anniversary of AIDS discovery

The National Center of AIDS/STD Prevention and Control of the China CDC held an academic meeting on the 40th anniversary of AIDS discovery on Nov 22, 2021. Representatives from provincial CDCs across China attended the meeting via video link.

In the opening speech, Shi Ying, director of the Office of HIV/AIDS Prevention at the Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control, National Health Commission, said that the elimination of HIV/AIDS depends on technological support and breakthroughs in key and difficult areas.

George F. Gao, director-general of the China CDC, reviewed the history of AIDS response since the deadly disease was first discovered and encouraged public health professionals in China to make more efforts in terms of research, testing, and treatment, including vaccine research and development, to contribute to ending AIDS globally.

Officials and experts, including Zhou Kai, Policy and Strategy Advisor of UNAIDS China Office, Shang Hong, academician of the First Hospital of China Medical University, Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist of the China CDC and representatives from provincial CDCs of Yunnan, Sichuan and Zhejiang, introduced the progress and the best practices of AIDS response including virology, vaccine and testing technologies, treatment and intervention etc.

In concluding remarks Han Mengjie, director of the National Center of AIDS/STD Prevention and Control, said that although China has achieved great success in AIDS response, huge challenges still lie ahead, requiring people to learn from experience and improve their capabilities as they strive to reach the goal of ending AIDS.