Shanghai authorities have developed a plan to improve health services during the Beijing Olympics and the 2010 World Expo, a symposium heard on Friday.

The Shanghai health administration has developed a health security plan for the Olympic football matches, which will be held in the city in August.

The plan was unveiled at the Sino-British (Shanghai) Public Health Emergency Symposium. The event is part of an initiative launched by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown during his January visit to the city.

Health experts and officials from both sides discussed several topics including the development of emergency response systems for the two events.

Stuart Smalley, director of the international department of the UK's Department of Health, said "China and the UK will host the Olympics in 2008 and 2012. Healthcare is a priority for both governments.

"Through activities such as this, we aim to create the conditions and high-level contacts necessary for sustaining a coordinated and long-term strategic partnership in the field of healthcare."

(China Daily March 29, 2008)