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Wen Jiabao highlights cooperation against SARS |
CCTV.COM 2003-04-30 10:04:35 |
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called for closer regional as well as international cooperation to effectively curb the spread of the SARS virus. He also proposed setting up an Asian Fund to study and devise preventive measures against SARS. The Chinese premier also pledged initial seed money of some 1.2 million US dollars to fund the effort.
It is the first meeting between Premier Wen Jiabao, who took office in March, and his counterparts from ASEAN.
They gathered in the Thai capital to lay down a regional framework for cooperation against SARS, Asia's worst crisis since the financial meltdown six years ago.
Wen Jiabao presented a package of proposals calling for the establishment of a network to exchange information, carry out cooperative research, and jointly sponsor a high-level international symposium on SARS in China next month.
He also proposed a meeting between immigration officials to coordinate entry-and-exit policies and measures in response to SARS.
The premier said his government has decided to earmark 10 million yuan or 1.2 million dollars to set up a regional fund for research of the virus.
The Chinese leader said the fight against SARS remains severe in China but he pledged that the Chinese government will continue effective measures in a bid to ease the situation including that in Hong Kong.
On the sidelines of the emergency meeting, Premier Wen held talks with leaders from Southeast Asia.
In his meeting with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Wen Jiabao said the fight against the SARS epidemic will enhance Sino-Thai cooperation.
Premier Wen also met his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen as Chinese diplomats in Cambodia said China was to join ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
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Editor: Yang Feiyang CCTV.com
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