China should step up efforts to eliminate discrimination against HIV positive persons, Bernhard Schwartlander, UNAIDS China Country Coordinator said on Sunday.

"The situation (of discrimination against HIV postive persons) is really a cause for concern," said Schwartlander during a publicity campaign organized by the Health Ministry, Red Cross Society of China, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), just one day ahead of the World AIDS Day which falls on December 1.

"There are still many misconceptions about AIDS. This contributes to stigma and discrimination and creates obstacles for effective prevention, treatment, care and support," Schwartlander said.

Research shows that stigma and discrimination are still prevalent among the general public in China. A recent survey of more than 6,000 respondents in six Chinese cities showed that 30 percent of the respondents think children living with HIV should not be allowed to study at the same schools with other students.

It also finds that nearly 65 percent of the respondents were unwilling to stay in the same room with an HIV positive person, and 48 percent would be unwilling to have meal with HIV carriers.

Schwartlander said stigma kept people from seeking information and services that could save them and their partners from infection and ensure that people already infected get adequate treatment.

Organizers of Sunday's campaign also invited experts to provide free consultation on prevention of AIDS, and dispatched free condoms.

The organizers also hung three giant red ribbons, a symbol for the fight against AIDS, on the iconic National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest".

"The display illustrates China's determination in preventing and combating AIDS and in particular, in its fight against stigma and discrimination," said Mao Qun'an, spokesman with China's Health Ministry.

Schwartlander said that with AIDS spreading all over the world, China's move to display red ribbons on the national stadium illustrated its leadership in combating AIDS all over the world in such an inspirational manner.

Globally there are about 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS. The latest survey estimates that approximately 700,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in China and sexual transmission is currently the most common way of HIV infection.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2008)