Exchanging the latest research findings to promote cross-regional cooperation and stop discrimination

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 4 December 2023 - Every year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with HIV. The 7th AIDS Forum of Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan was held from December 4th to 5th, 2023, and successfully kicked off on the first day. On the opening day, Mr. John Lee Ka-chiu, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, congratulatory message via video and said that only by creating a friendly and non-discriminatory social environment can people suspected of being infected be encouraged to get tested for the virus as early as possible. Only in this way to help people living with HIV have the courage to receive treatment as early as possible. The number of new HIV infection cases in Hong Kong has also been showing a downward trend in the past seven years. Join hands to move towards the goal of "ending AIDS as a threat to public health by 2030" advocated by the United Nations Program on AIDS. All honourable guests participated in the opening ceremony, wishing that parties from the 4 regions could continue to collaborate closely in AIDS management through sharing new research findings and achievements in the Forum. Over a hundred experts and representatives from non-governmental organizations also attend the two-day Forum and share the unique experiences, hoping to enhance the prevention strategies for AIDS and reshape society's perception of AIDS issues. Website of The 7th AIDS Forumof Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan:https://aids.org.hk/the7thaidsforum The AIDS Forum has been co-hosted by four prominent and leading HIV/AIDS-related NGO every two years in various hosting cities since 2010. This year, the Forum will be hosted by the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation along with substantial support from counterparts from the Mainland China, Macau and Taiwan and is themed " together, we create a stigma-free world". It aims to promote collaboration among researchers, medical expertise, and non-governmental organizations. In addition to the strong support from Mainland China, Macau, and Taiwan, government officials, including Mr. Chen Zetao, the Deputy Director-General of the Co-ordination Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Dr LEE Ha-yun, Libby, JP, Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, the Dean of Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Professor David HO, Director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center and Dr. LEONG Iek Hou, the Head of Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Bureau, Macao SAR, also attended the opening ceremony. Dr. Che Hung Leong, the Chairman of the Hong Kong AIDS Foundation, delivered a welcome speech, highlighting the aspirations behind this year's slogan, " together, we create a stigma-free world". He said that AIDS is not only a medical problem, but also a social problem. In the past, he has been committed to going into the community to educate the public on prevention, especially the importance of safe sex. Finally, we also call on our respective governments to continue their efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Over a hundred representatives and medical expertise attended to discuss the current AIDS situation in the four regions. The Forum was divided into eight sessions, addressing the situation, treatment, prevention of AIDS, as well as...