The University of Hong Kong has been commissioned to carry out researches on infectious diseases by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, after a contract was signed in Hong Kong  Friday.

The university has been granted 30 million HK dollars for researches on infectious diseases by the government's Research Fund for the Control of Infectious Disease (RFCID).

Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food of Hong Kong SAR government Yeoh Eng-kiong said the experience with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and avian influenza had highlighted the importance of infectious disease research and cross-boundary research collaboration within the Pearl River Delta Region.

He added, "The funding to the university will further consolidate their initiative through a focused research program."

The RFCID will provide 8 million HK dollars to enhance the research infrastructure of the university, facilitating the completion of construction of a state-of-the-art Biosafety Level 3 laboratory.

Another 22 million HK dollars will be provided to the university to undertake a portfolio of research in basic laboratory, epidemiological and public health research in emerging infectious diseases.

Vice-Chancellor of the university Professor Tsui Lap-chee said the setting up of the RFCID had not only shown the government attached importance to local research work but it had also demonstrated its commitment in safeguarding public health and making Hong Kong a healthier international city to live in.

Tsui believed with the Government's support in the university's research work, both the academic community and the business sector would be encouraged to pitch in more resources to push forward the development of biotechnology, thus making it possible for Hong Kong to develop into a biotechnology center in the Asian region in the long run.

The Government announced the setting up of the RFCID in July last year after the World Health Organization removed Hong Kong from the list of areas with recent local transmission of SARS. Enditem

(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2004)