THURSDAY WAS THE 29TH WORLD AIDS DAY. Long feared and stigmatized, the disease is less likely to cause as much panic and confusion among people as it used to. However, there is still a long way to go in the fight against the disease. Beijing News commented on Thursday:

HIV/AIDS is caused by a virus that infects cells of the immune system, weakening the system and making the patient more susceptible to infections. Due to the lack of an effective cure as of now, those with HIV/AIDS still live in the fear of death.

But for many who are infected with the virus, the discrimination they face has caused tremendous harm to their dignity and daily lives. There have even been protests against treating those with the virus by some who say it was a "deserved punishment" for those who "did not take relationships seriously".