An international anti-SARS forum will be held in Beijing from June 3 to 4 in order to implement the joint communique issued in the China-ASEAN special meeting on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said at a regular press conference Thursday that the forum will focus on the exchange of information and experience on SARS prevention and treatment, especially with regard to epidemiological research, clinical treatment, diagnostic reagents and medicinal exploration, in an effort to seek more international cooperation in the anti-SARS campaign.

In addition to the ASEAN countries, Japan and the Republic of Korea, experts and scholars from other nations and regions have also been invited to attend the forum, Zhang said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2003)