A leading charity role

Helping others gives actor the chance to highlight causes, Xu Fan reports.

A windswept, chilly day last October. Spirits were high and so was the destination for more than 20 HIV-infected children from a school in North China's Shanxi province. Along with actor Wang Jia they made it to the top deck of the Empire State Building in New York. Beneath their feet was one of the most amazing vistas on the planet.

Inspired by the view and a sense of adventure, they started to sing the theme song of the 30th World AIDS Day. Released by the World Health Organization China Office, the lyrics of Holding Hands, Holding Hope convey the message that people living with HIV and AIDS should not be discriminated against or isolated by society.

"I was standing nearby and watching them. Their smiles are so warm, sweet and sincere. In that very moment I felt strongly that they deserve to be treated with respect," Wang says during an interview with China Daily.

The New York tour-also with actress Guan Xiaotong-marks the second time that Wang has joined a WHOChina-sponsored charity event to travel, stay and eat with HIV-infected children. Their first journey was to Geneva, Switzerland.