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 here Tuesday, Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu said the
disease has inflicted heavy blows on the development of Asia's
poultry industry and exerted negative impact on the region's
socio-economic development, adding it has become a major concern to
the region and the international community.
Hui said that since HPAI 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,
and as a result, the disease is effectively contained and not a
single case of human infection has been detected up to now.
"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 transboundary challenge, Hui said, adding that
therefore it calls for joint efforts and close cooperation among
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
friendship and excellent cooperative relations.
"We are ready to work hand in hand with ASEAN nations and
international organizations concerned to strengthen our
collaboration and exchange so that we can join our efforts to fight
against the bird flu."
To this end, the vice-premier put forward the following six
proposals:
First, to establish and build up, through firm political commitment
and effective regional cooperation, confidence in conquering the
epidemic.
Secondly, to improve the communication mechanism between China and
ASEAN for the benefit of timely sharing full and accurate
information on the epidemic situation.
Thirdly, 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 scored and wisdom emerging in this
field.
Fourthly, to create a regional joint prevention and control
mechanism so as to effectively curb HPAI's spread in time and
safeguard the public health and poultry production.
Fifthly, to encourage provision of mutual and necessary assistance.
Hui said the Chinese government stands ready to provide relevant
ASEAN members with financial, material and technical assistance for
HPAI control within its capacity.
Finally, to enhance international collaboration by actively
promoting bilateral or multilateral cooperation and exchange,
particularly cooperation and exchange with international
organizations such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization (UNFAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Attended by representatives from China, 10 ASEAN countries, the
ASEAN Secretariat, UNFAO, WHO and the World Organization for Animal
Health, the meeting analyzed the epidemic situation of HPAI in
affected countries, drew lessons and exchanged experience and
concrete measures on HPAI prevention and control.
The participants also discussed and identified China-ASEAN
counter-measures to combat the epidemic, such as the launch of the
China-ASEAN Fund for Public Health, programs of technical
cooperation and personnel training in related fields.
The meeting also issued a Joint Press Statement, which stressed
combating the bird flu with strong political will,
cross-departmental cooperation and state and regional-level
partnership, agreeing to take 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)