The first "Overseas Chinese Online Anti-SARS Forum" was jointly held on May 25, by the International Department of Education Ministry, the global cooperation team of the research group of the National Anti-SARS Command Center and the Education Office of Chinese Embassies in Foreign Countries.

Overseas Chinese specialists and scholars have better knowledge about latest technologies and their participation may greatly enhance SARS research power, said Li Xueyong, member of the research group of the National Anti-SARS Command Center, and vice minister of science and technology.

According to a leading official from the Ministry of Education, after the outbreak of SARS, overseas Chinese students not only donated money and material, but also gave opinions, proposals and technology projects to the mainland. Seven scholars who studied in foreign countries had gone to the front line for anti-SARS campaigns via the Ministry of Education. Up until now, five of them have returned to China and have been involved in research and clinical work, including Dr. Chen Luni, from Sweden, and Dr. Shi Lingfang, from America. In addition, they have sent more than 170 pieces of work to the exclusive email box set up by the Ministry of Education.

From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm May 25, technology information exchange is operated between researchers and scholars from 14 foreign countries and the Chinese mainland. Topics focus on early period diagnosis, vaccines, and medical treatment. Fifteen government-related researchers and experts joined the forum.

The online forum provides an information exchange platform for experts from both domestic and overseas areas, integrating the advances made by overseas Chinese researchers. It aims to assess and improve present opinions, suggestions and projects, and collect consultations for decision-making departments. Online forums of this kind will be hold in the future featuring wider subjects like disease prevention, clinic measures, medicines and epidemics. Two IT Companies, which were created by overseas Chinese, provide global online meeting services free to the forum. Sina.com.cn also contributes.

(China.org.cn by Li Liangdu, May 28, 2003)