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© UNICEF/China/Li Mingfang 600 children spelling out "LOVE" at the event

Beijing, 8 June 2007 - A special event with the theme of "LOVEDAY  with UNICEF", organized jointly by UNICEF and the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM) and supported by the Chinese National Committee for the Care of Children (CNCCC) and Cartier, was organized at the Great Wall today. The event is designed to raise the awareness of the public about the situation of children living with HIV/AIDS. Over 600 Beijing students participated in the event, symbolically launching balloons to pledge their commitment to the cause.

UNICEF's cooperation with the Government of China is currently focusing on care for children affected by HIV/AIDS. Many programmes have been undertaken, achieving important results and gaining major interest from society. Last year, China's Campaign on Children and AIDS was launched nationwide to raise awareness about the situation of children affected by AIDS, as well as help combat the stigma and discrimination to which they are subject.

The global luxury brand Cartier announced that, with help of the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF, it is to donate RMB three million yuan to UNICEF through its sales of its "LOVE  series" product line in China. The funds will be used by UNICEF to support the programme on HIV prevention and care in China.

©UNICEF/CHINA/2007 Hand-over of cheque for RMB three million yuan

In her welcoming address, UNICEF Representative to China Dr. Yin Yin Nwe congratulated Cartier on the social responsibility and leadership the company had shown through its support for the global campaign. She expressed the hope "that other companies will follow the Cartier example and lend their support to addressing an epidemic which affects young people so much but where equally, young people are part of the solution".

Representative of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, Ms Liang Hong spoke highly of the collaboration between UNICEF and the Government of China over the past years and extended her gratitude to Cartier for its support to this cooperation. She called for society to direct more attention to the care of children affected with HIV/AIDS.

The venue for "LOVEDAY with UNICEF" was chosen carefully as the Great Wall is a symbol of China's history and heritage. Through an event at this unique location, the hope of all involved was that the message of love and care for children affected by AIDS would be brought to as large an audience as possible.

Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF Ambassador Ms. Gigi Leung, Mr. Vanness Wu who is to become Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF Ambassador and the well-know Chinese actress Ms. Mei Ting were there at the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall to lend their support to the campaign.An HIV/AIDS Youth Ambassador speaks at the event.

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For further information, please contact UNICEF China
Ms. Liu Li (Chinese/English)
Tel: (86-10) 65323131 Ext. 1303
Cell:  13701066671
Fax: (86-10) 65323107
E-mail: liliu@unicef.org

Speech by the UNICEF Representative to China Dr. Yin Yin Nwe at the "LOVEDAY with UNICEF" Event