Govt pledges $150k towards Pacific HIV/AIDS fight

The Federal Government has committed $150,000 to help 10 Asia Pacific countries in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Today is the 20th anniversary of World Aids Day, which raises awareness about the disease.

Last year more than 16,000 people were living with HIV/AIDS in Australia.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the money will be given to the Albion Street Centre in Sydney to help with its overseas efforts.

"Engaging affected communities is the best way of encouraging responsible behaviour like safe sex and condom use, because the most effective education on these issues can be from people's peers rather than directly from government," she said.

Meanwhile the United Nations AIDS coordinator for China is urging the country to step up efforts to eliminate discrimination against people with the disease.

Bernhard Schwartlander says the stigma associated with the disease is still stopping people from getting treatment.

"About half of all Chinese would not want to share a meal with a person with HIV/AIDS and about a quarter would not want to shake hands," he said.

"You can easily imagine that in such a situation it's extremely difficult to bring a prevention campaign forward.

"People will not come forward to be tested, they won't benefit from treatment and they will not talk to their partners and colleagues about HIV/AIDS."

The Federal Government has committed $150,000 to help 10 Asia Pacific countries in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Today is the 20th anniversary of World Aids Day, which raises awareness about the disease.

Last year more than 16,000 people were living with HIV/AIDS in Australia.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the money will be given to the Albion Street Centre in Sydney to help with its overseas efforts.

"Engaging affected communities is the best way of encouraging responsible behaviour like safe sex and condom use, because the most effective education on these issues can be from people's peers rather than directly from government," she said.

Meanwhile the United Nations AIDS coordinator for China is urging the country to step up efforts to eliminate discrimination against people with the disease.

Bernhard Schwartlander says the stigma associated with the disease is still stopping people from getting treatment.

"About half of all Chinese would not want to share a meal with a person with HIV/AIDS and about a quarter would not want to shake hands," he said.

"You can easily imagine that in such a situation it's extremely difficult to bring a prevention campaign forward.

"People will not come forward to be tested, they won't benefit from treatment and they will not talk to their partners and colleagues about HIV/AIDS."