In preparation for the 17th World AIDS Day, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao recently called for "unremitting efforts" in the country's anti-AIDS campaign, while making an important statement attached to a report by the Ministry of Public Health on the progress of the country's HIV/AIDS-prevention work.

In his message, Premier Wen, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, paid cordial tribute to all HIV carriers and AIDS patients in the country, showed lofty respect to all medical workers dealing with the deadly HIV/AIDS, and sincere thanks to people from all walks of life who have cared and supported the HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, according to Ministry of Health sources.

China has made "remarkable progress" in its HIV/AIDS prevention and control work, acknowledged Wen, but the country still faces a stark situation in this field. He urged government departments at all levels to "give priority" to the issue, by "utilizing all sorts of resources and conscientiously implementing all preventive and control policies and measures."

He called for still greater, substantial efforts in creating public awareness about the issue and making strenuous efforts to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.

World AIDS Day falls on December 1.

Last year, Premier Wen marked the day by paying a visit to AIDS patients and shaking hands with them at a Beijing-based hospital.

Earlier this year, the State Council set up an HIV/AIDS Prevention Committee, issued a specific decree and hosted a national conference on the issue. China has also launched a nationwide campaign against the illegal blood collecting and supply business.

On July 9 this year, before the opening of the World AIDS Conference (July 11-16), Premier Wen published a signed article calling for combined efforts from the whole society for prevention and control of the deadly disease.