A senior Chinese official on Tuesday called for enhanced
regional and international exchanges and cooperation in controlling
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that has hit some Asian
countries since mid-December last year.
Speaking at the China-ASEAN Special Meeting on HPAI Control
convened in Beijing Tuesday, Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said
the disease has inflicted heavy blows on Asia's poultry industry
and had a negative impact on the region's socio-economic
development. He added that it has become a major concern to the
region and the international community.
Hui said that since bird flu broke out in some places in China
early this year, the government has timely informed the public of
the epidemic and mapped out guidelines and measures for its
control. As a result, the disease has been effectively contained
and not a single case of human infection has been detected.
"We strongly believe that the Chinese government and people have
the confidence and capability to win the campaign against HPAI," he
said.
HPAI is a virulent viral animal disease, classified as type A,
which has become a transnational challenge, Hui said. He calls
for joint efforts and close cooperation within the international
community to bring it under control.
Hui said China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) are good neighbors, enjoying profound traditional
friendships and excellent cooperative relations.
"We are ready to work hand in hand with ASEAN nations and
international organizations to strengthen our collaboration and
exchange so that we can join our efforts to fight against the bird
flu," he said.
To this end, the vice premier presented six proposals:
· To establish and build up, through firm political
commitment and effective regional cooperation, confidence in
conquering the epidemic.
· To improve the communication mechanism between China and
ASEAN for the benefit of timely sharing full and accurate
information on the epidemic situation.
· To intensify efforts in the exchange of measures,
technologies and lessons in HPAI control so as to learn from each
other and share the achievements made and knowledge emerging in
this field.
· To create a regional joint prevention and control
mechanism to curb HPAI's spread and safeguard the public health and
poultry production.
· To encourage provision of mutual and necessary
assistance. The Chinese government stands ready to provide ASEAN
members with financial, material and technical assistance for HPAI
control within its capacity.
· To enhance international collaboration by actively
promoting bilateral or multilateral cooperation and exchange,
particularly with international organizations such as the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) and the World
Health Organization (WHO).
At the meeting, representatives from China, 10 ASEAN countries,
the ASEAN Secretariat, UNFAO, WHO and the World Organization for
Animal Health, analyzed the bird flu epidemic in affected countries
and exchanged experience and concrete measures on prevention and
control.
The participants also discussed and identified China-ASEAN
countermeasures to combat the epidemic, such as the launch of the
China-ASEAN Fund for Public Health, technical cooperation programs
and personnel training.
The parties issued a joint statement that stressed combating the
bird flu with strong political will, cross-departmental cooperation
and national- and regional-level partnerships. They agreed to make
collective efforts to meet the challenges posed by the disease, and
laid down concrete measures such as establishing a China-ASEAN
cooperation mechanism for public health.
Prior to the event's opening ceremony, Hui met with Thai Deputy
Prime Minister Suvit Khunkitti, who was here to attend the
meeting.
(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2004)