The fight against HIV and AIDS in China got a tremendous boost with China's First Lady Peng Liyuan leading the opening ceremony of a summer camp for AIDS orphans at the Beidahei Hebei province last Friday, reportsfrom the health and family planning department said.

More than 50 AIDS orphans from various provinces and regions participated in the camp which was organized by the Chinese Association of STD and AIDS Prevention and Control.

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The First Lady, a World Health Organization (WHO) Ambassador in the prevention and  campaign against HIV/AIDS, raised a white sail with the children symbolizing the orphans' courage in overcoming the obstacles in their lives.

The camp, which will last five days, will not only treat the children to sightseeing trips but will psychologically train them and help them cope with the challenges they will face later in life.

Peng has been an active advocate in raising awareness on HIV/AIDS even before her husband, President Xi Jinping, became China's leader. The orphans and children of People With Aids (PWA) are very close to the First Lady's heart who never fails to conduct activities and initiate projects that benefit them.

Peng was a widely popular singer in China who took advantage of her popularity to raise awareness on the plight of PWA children and orphans and encouraged others to help them.

She has accompanied her husband on international visits and  won the admiration of leaders and HIV/AIDS advocates for her contribution to AIDS awareness.

The First Lady was named image ambassador for the Ministry of Health for the control and prevention of HIV/AIDS in 2006. She visited more than 200 children in that year at the Fuyang AIDS Orphan Salvation Association.at Anhui province. The children called her "Mother Peng."

Peng was also named ambassador in 2007 for the control and prevention of tuberculosis and initiated campaign against tobacco smoking.

Peng was named ambassador by WHO in the fight against tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in 2011.

As a renowned singer, Peng has performed in more than 50 countries and regions.

TagsPeng Liyuan, HIV?AIDS Orphans