The policy included providing free anti-viral drugs and treatment to poor patients, free counseling and antibody pre-screening services, free counseling and maternal tests for pregnant women and free tuition fees for children orphaned by AIDS. The local government also offered living subsidies to AIDS patients and orphans.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao poses with three children whose parents all died of AIDS in a village in Fuyang, east China's Anhui province November 30, 2008. [Xinhua]

"If I had not taken the medication, I would not stand here today and might have died many years ago," a middle-aged woman told the premier.

"Where there is life there is hope. We are all concerned about you. Your priority is to receive the treatment and take the medication," Wen said. Turning to the officials, he said various levels of Party committees and departments should offer more aid to AIDS patients.

The premier nodded his head after learning that local food sales, farmers working in cities as casual labors and children's schooling were not affected by discrimination against the disease.

"AIDS patients and orphans were often considered as an underprivileged group. We should let them get their basic life allowances and form a social trend of caring AIDS patients through education," Wen said.

Walking into a community medical service center for AIDS patients in Funan County, the premier shook hands with patients and asked each about their physical conditions.

"Optimism and perseverance is vital for a patient," he said. Wen particularly praised Cheng Xianyue, a local AIDS patient who donated 2,000 yuan ($256) after a massive earthquake struck southwestern Sichuan Prvovince in May.

The premier had visited AIDS patients and medical staff ahead of the World AIDS Day on December 1 or on festival occasions since he started his tenure in 2003.

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