In the lead-up to the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, the UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, visited the headquarters of the Chinese news agency Xinhua, where he was interviewed on television.

Mr Sidibé met with Cai Mingzhao, the President of Xinhua, to discuss a highly successful partnership between the two organizations, through which the news agency has helped to promote important messages about ending AIDS. During the 2016 United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS, held in New York, United Sates of America, a UNAIDS video played on Xinhua’s screen in Times Square.

Mr Sidibé stressed how the news agency is a key partner through its efforts of reaching billions of people with life-saving messages. He added that their continued involvement is critical for China–Africa health cooperation and to keep HIV on the global agenda. 

Building bridges together is key, said Mr Cai, who reiterated Xinhua’s commitment to raising awareness and advocating around key issues related to ending the AIDS epdfidemic in China and globally.

The UNAIDS–Xinhua partnership dates back to 2011. Since then, two memorandums of understanding have been signed. Efforts carried out during the past six years include global media campaigns to promote public awareness of HIV and support for World AIDS Day activities.

The Belt and Road Forum, taking place on 14 and 15 May, aims to promote ties and cooperation between countries through the development of two major economic development projects—the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. In his television interview, Mr Sidibé highlighted that the Belt and Road initiative is an important platform for person-to-person connectivity—an issue that the AIDS response has championed.