Chinese and British scientists will expand cooperation in
research on emerging infectious diseases, such as AIDS, SARS and
bird flu, this year.
Jin Dapeng, director of Beijing Municipal Health Bureau, said
the research would concentrate on immune protection; improving and
developing methods of clinical diagnosis or experimental procedures
for new infectious diseases; development of medicines; and training
of research personnel and medical workers.
More than 60 scientists from Britain and China would participate
in the programs, Jin told a seminar on emerging infectious diseases
in Beijing.
Professor Andrew McMichael, chair of the Infections and Immunity
Board of the UK Medical Research Council (MRC), said 40 new
infectious diseases had been discovered and recognized since the
1980s.
Chinese and British scientists have carried out preliminary
cooperation in research on SARS and AIDS, ranging from development
of reagents for diagnosis, vaccines and medicines.
Yang Weiguang, deputy director of Beijing Municipal Science and
Technology Commission, said Beijing had started a joint research
mechanism with participation of Chinese scientists and researchers
from a dozen medical research organizations in Britain.
British and Chinese scientists have jointly launched 22 major
scientific research programs, covering AIDS, bird flu, SARS, and
other topics.
Yang said he hoped foreign specialists help complete an AIDS
control network that integrates scientific research, diagnosis and
treatment, and prevention by launching a research program entitled
"AIDS prevention, control measures and comprehensive treatment
research".
Medical research organizations in China and Britain have signed
a MOU on cooperative research on emerging infectious diseases.
The two-day seminar, which will close later Tuesday, was also
attended by specialists from the United States, France and other
countries.
(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2007)