China, WHO to build "healthy" Silk Road

Source: News.xinhuanet.com

GENEVA, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- China and the World Health Organization (WHO) pledged here Wednesday to step up health cooperation under the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

A memorandum of understanding in this regard was signed between the two sides at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, witnessed by visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and WHO Director-General Margaret Chan.

"China welcomes the WHO's active participation in the construction of the Belt and Road, and of a 'healthy' Silk Road," Xi said during a meeting with Chan. Chan echoed Xi's remarks, saying that the WHO is willing to enhance cooperation with China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, amid efforts to improve the public health in countries along the Belt and Road.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013, refers to the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

During their meeting, President Xi briefed Chan on China's health policy and development, especially the Outline of the Healthy China 2030 Plan issued by the central government in 2016, saying that China hopes the WHO can continue to offer professional assistance. More

18/01/2017      

UN honors first lady's HIV advocacy

Source: Global Times

China's First Lady Peng Liyuan on Wednesday spoke of how honored and humbled she was to receive an international award for her humanitarian work in the global response to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé presented Peng with the UNAIDS Award for Outstanding Achievement at a ceremony held in her honor organized by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

"This is a great honor and I am deeply humbled," Peng said on accepting the award. "A caring heart is our best weapon against AIDS - we can save lives if we take action. We must succeed and we will succeed."

Peng has been working on the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis for more than 10 years and has advocated for a stronger response to the diseases at major international events, including at meetings of the Group of 20 and the United Nations General Assembly. In 2015, Peng collaborated with the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS in Johannesburg, South Africa, speaking out on key issues critical to ending AIDS by 2030. She has also been a key supporter of the China-Africa Children Summer Camp that hosts children orphaned by AIDS from both China and Africa.

"Professor Peng has helped to open a national conversation around HIV in China that has spread empathy and compassion for people affected by HIV," said Sidibé. "She is a true champion for the most vulnerable, especially children affected by HIV, and has helped to create an environment for children to not just survive, but thrive."