At a special book-launching ceremony held on January 10 in Beijing's Ditan Hospital, author Zhu Liya, an HIV-positive girl, gave out free copies of her new book Diary of an AIDS Girl to college students, volunteers, and medical staff in attendance.

Zhu Liya (alias), a college student, had a one-year love affair with a foreign student in her university, which led to her HIV diagnosis one year later.

However, far from wallowing in despair, Zhu has taken an active approach to her predicament. First, she posted her experience on the Internet, calling for young students to learn from her lesson. This had led to much heated and fruitful discussion on HIV and AIDS issues.

"By writing of my own experience in this book, I hope more and more people could know how to protect themselves from HIV and also how to cherish life," Zhu said at the ceremony.

Also attending the ceremony were several officials and even Pu Cunxi, a famous actor as well as a leading AIDS volunteer in China.

"Zhu learned a lesson from her own experience and she also wants to promote people's AIDS awareness by writing Diary of an AIDS Girl. We should applaud her for that", Pu said.

Liang Wannian, an official from the Beijing Health Bureau, said: "For HIV and AIDS patients, eliminating public discrimination is more important than the medical treatment, as they need more understanding and support from the society.

"Make Red Ribbon Home as your home in Beijing," said a Ditan Hospital official to Zhu and other AIDS patients. Red Ribbon Home is a residence for HIV and AIDS patients and is set up within the hospital.

(China Daily January 13, 2006)