BEIJING, 28 November 2016—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has appointed the celebrated actor and humanitarian Huang Xiaoming as a UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador for China. The announcement was made at an event at the UNAIDS office in Beijing, China.“Huang Xiaoming is an inspiration for millions of people,” said Catherine Sozi, UNAIDS Country Director for China. “I am thrilled that he will leverage his amazing platform as a gifted actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist to help end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. His efforts can re-energize HIV prevention and transform many lives in China and beyond.”

The nomination ceremony included a panel discussion with young people on HIV prevention. Football champion and UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador for China, Shao Jiayi participated in the event and gave congratulatory remarks.

In his new role, Mr Xiaoming will raise awareness on the importance of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, with a special emphasis on HIV prevention among young people. Immediately after his appointment, the star showed his support for the UNAIDS global Hands Up for #HIVPrevention campaign which has been taking place in the lead up to World AIDS Day on 1 December. Mr Xiaoming posed for photographs with an HIV prevention message written on the palm of his hand. People around the world have been sharing similar photographs and messages through social media.

“I am honoured by this appointment as UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador to China,” said Mr Xiaoming. “I am glad that I can play at a least a small part in helping to intensify efforts on HIV prevention. My hope is young people understand the need to take proper measures to protect not only their own health but the health of the people they love.”

Mr Xiaoming began his acting career in 1998 by starring in the television drama Love is not a Game. He rose to prominence for playing the lead role in the epic historical TV series on the Han Emperor. He has also starred in numerous movies which have been box office hits in China. Mr Xiaoming’s talents have been widely recognized and he is the winner of more than 100 prestigious awards including the China Golden Rooster Award.

Mr Xiaoming’s humanitarian work has included donating funds to support post-disaster reconstruction following the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake and  adopting the twin pandas, Pingping and An’an, which were born and rescued after the quake.

Chinese authorities say there were 654,000 people reported to be living with HIV in China by the end of September 2016. Young people are particularly vulnerable to HIV. Thirteen young people (age 15-24) are infected with HIV every hour in Asia and the Pacific. In China, 7.1% of people living with HIV are young people.

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Contact

UNAIDS Beijing | Liu Jie | tel. +86 10 8532 2226, ext 95466 | liuji@unaids.org

UNAIDS Bangkok | Saya Oka | tel. +66 2680 4128 | okas@unaids.org

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube