BEIJING - Vice Premier Liu Yandong highlighted HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment, calling for winning the battle against the disease.

Liu visited the center for disease prevention and control of Chaoyang District, Beijing, on Thursday, World AIDS Day, and talked with medical personnel, volunteer groups, social organizations and representatives from international organizations.

Liu called for proper prevention, intervention and treatment services, as well as implementing policy measures regarding blood tests, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and medical assistance in order to minimize the spread of infection.

Public education need to target at-risk groups and cater to the cognitive characteristics of different groups, Liu said, stressing a crackdown on new types of narcotics.

She also stressed research and development of vaccines and medicines to boost efficacy, and the elimination of discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS to safeguard their dignity and legitimate rights and interests.