BEIJING - There is still much work to do to address the challenge imposed by HIV/AIDS on global public health, said Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, here on Monday.

Peng, who is a World Health Organization (WHO) goodwill ambassador for tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, made the remarks as she met with three foreign scientists on the sidelines of the 2014 National Conference on HIV/AIDS.

Prof Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Prof Christian Brechot of the Institut Pasteur and Prof David Ho of the Rockefeller University are among about 1,000 experts attending Monday's conference.

Peng welcomed the foreign scientists to the conference, where they are sharing their research with Chinese colleagues.

"I believe this academic exchange will help boost research on HIV/AIDS in China and the world at large," she said.

More attention should be given to under-developed regions as well as infected people there to make sure patients can enjoy social justice and the right to medical care, according to Peng.

She said she will continue to shoulder the obligations of her WHO role and as a national HIV/AIDS prevention advocate, and promote cooperation between China and other countries on HIV/AIDS prevention and control, to contribute to the global fight against the virus.

At the opening ceremony of the conference, Barre-Sinoussi, Brechot and Ho were awarded medals for their contribution to this fight.

The conference was organized by the Chinese Association of STD and AIDS Prevention and Control, also functioning to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations.