In Conversation with Pu Cunxin, China's AIDS Ambassador
November 5, 2005
Zellerbach Playhouse, University of California, Berkeley
Renowned actor and AIDS activist Mr. Pu Cunxin (濮存昕) visited Berkeley on November 5, 2005. In addition to performing the Lao She classic “The Tea House,” Mr. Pu spent nearly two hours conversing with a diverse audience about AIDS in China and his work as China's AIDS ambassador. The event, attracting more than a hundred audience members, was sponsored by AIDS Relief Fund for China, Berkeley Center for Chinese Studies, Cal Performance, The Asia Society Northern California, and Berkeley Chinese Student and Scholar Association.
Mr. Pu candidly spoke about the process it took him to go from not knowing much about AIDS to becoming one of the foremost persons championing the cause in China today. He summed up the challenges of AIDS using an analogy, "the AIDS epidemic in China is like a big fire. One glass of water is not going to put it out, but it helps... If there's one person we can touch and save, then we'll touch and save that person. We'll do it one at a time..." The conversation was moderated by ARFC's program director, Humphrey Wou. Weiyi Shi, ARFC's operations manager, served as interpreter.
Several distinguished guests attended the event, including ARFC's long-time friends at Barry and Martin's Trust, Ed Settle from China AIDS Survey, Damien Lu from GayChinese.net, and Consul Wang Dong from the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco. Several Chinese language newspapers and TV stations, including Sing Tao, Ming Pao and Phoenix TV, reported on this occasion.
Pu Cunxin with ARFC board and staff and our friends from Barry and Martin Trust
Background Information:
Pu Cunxin is a household name in China. He's known for his accomplished career on stage, in films, on television and, most recently, as one of China's foremost spokespersons on AIDS. He was appointed by the Ministry of Health in 2000 to raise public awareness of the AIDS epidemic--the first person to play such a role in China's public health history. Pu fights stigma and discrimination against AIDS through public speaking and visits with AIDS patients and families. He has also set up a personal fund of more than 400,000 RMB to help children from impoverished AIDS families continue their education. In the past few years Pu has starred in three Chinese films and television series involving AIDS as a theme, portraying roles ranging from AIDS patient to doctor to family member, and donated a significant portion of the proceeds to AIDS research in China. In the international film circles, he's best known for playing the leading role in the award-winning film "Shower."