China, Indonesia launch first joint disaster relief exercise

Chinese and Indonesian militaries launched their first joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercise, Peace Garuda-2024, with an opening ceremony on Sunday.

The exercise follows the arrival of Chinese military in Indonesia on Saturday, transported by Y-20 aircraft.

The opening ceremony took place simultaneously at land, sea, and air training grounds in Jakarta and Banten Province. Commanders from both nations addressed the troops via video teleconference from the joint exercise command center. Peace Garuda-2024, scheduled to run until Saturday, will involve army, navy, and air force personnel from both countries. The exercise will encompass drills focusing on search and rescue, medical aid, evacuation and resettlement, nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protection, and parachute delivery. The two sides will also carry out cultural and sports activities

"This inaugural exercise between the Chinese and Indonesian militaries will deepen practical cooperation, enhance joint operational capabilities, and contribute to regional peace and stability," said Tong Wen, member of Command and Coordination Organization of the Peace Garuda-2024 joint HADR exercise.

This exercise builds upon increasingly close high-level military exchanges and fruitful cooperation between the two nations in recent years, as highlighted by Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Wu Qian earlier this week.

With the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations approaching next year, China has expressed its commitment to further strengthening military ties and enhancing defense dialog with Indonesia.

China, Indonesia launch first joint disaster relief exercise

Ahead of the World AIDS Day 2024, observed on Sunday under the theme "Take the rights path: My health, my right," UNAIDS launched a new report on Wednesday, urging global leaders to take action in addressing the inequalities that impede progress in the fight against AIDS.

The UN agency emphasized the need for a collective effort to ensure health equity and accelerate the end of the fatal disease.

Data from the World Health Organization, a cosponsor of UNAIDS, showed that in 2023, an estimated 39.9 million people were living with HIV worldwide, but 9.3 million of them still lacked access to essential, life-saving treatment.

Last year alone, 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses, and 1.3 million individuals were newly diagnosed with HIV.

Alarmingly, in at least 28 countries, the number of new HIV infections is on the rise.

In response to the global challenge, China is advocating for social co-governance as a key strategy in combating the disease.

According to the country's National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, the risk of HIV transmission through contaminated blood transfusions has been virtually eliminated, and mother-to-child transmission is now under control.

Furthermore, China has seen a decline in the number of new HIV infections, reflecting the effectiveness of its public health initiatives.

UN agency calls for health equity in fight against AIDS