HONG KONG, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- To mark World AIDS Day 2007, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has launched publicity activities to raise public awareness of the prevention of HIV/AIDS and to promote safe sex, an official said here Friday.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark World AIDS Day, Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health York Chow said the activities include a television announcement featuring United Nations Aids Programme (UNAIDS) Special Representatives Miriam Yeung and radio programs introducing AIDS.
Hong Kong has had a low HIV prevalence for more than two decades since the first case was reported in 1984.
"To effectively curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, much needs to be done to get rid of the misunderstanding about the disease and the people who are affected by it. The ensuing series of activities will definitely provide the public with excellent opportunities to remove any misunderstanding about this disease and to know more about its effective preventive measures," he said.
The Advisory Council on AIDS launched its new strategies for Hong Kong 2007-2011 early this year and identified five priority areas in combating HIV/AIDS.
The Council for AIDS Trust Fund has also responded to the emerging trend of increasing HIV infections among men having sex with men by setting up a special project fund targeted at this group.
World AIDS Day, which is on Dec. 1, aims to raise awareness of the global AIDS epidemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. This year's theme is "Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise".
