The Chinese government has pledged to protect an eight-year-old boy with HIV, who was shunned by his entire village in the southwestern province of Sichuan, state media reported. A photo from a People Daily's online report last week showed the boy called "Kunkun," watching villagers unanimously vote for his removal in a meeting held in early December. Even his own grandfather, added his name to the petition signed by more than 200 villagers. "Kunkun is diagnosed with AIDS, causing great fear among the villagers and village children. In order to ensure the safety of villagers and children, we demand that authorities quarantine Kunkun for treatment," the petition read.
@highlight
Chinese government assures shunned HIV-positive boy with treatment and education
@highlight
Over 200 villagers sought to banish the boy, Kunkun, state media reported last week
@highlight
Kunkun was expelled from school and ostracized by the community
@highlight
UNAIDS estimates there are 780,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in China
Despite China's fight against @placeholder, cases such as Kunkun's suggest inconsistency with official policy.