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| China vows to play constructive role in fighting global disease |
| CCTV.COM 2003-05-21 13:05:55 |
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 China stands ready to cooperate sincerely with other countries, and will shoulder its responsibility and play a constructive role in fighting all global diseases. The remarks were made by Chinese Vice Premier and Health Minister Wu Yi on Tuesday in Geneva at the ongoing 56th World Health Assembly, or WHA.
Wu Yi said at the General Debate of the Assembly that globalization has increasingly turned the homeland of mankind into a global village, where the issue of public health knows no national boundaries.
Wu Yi also raised three suggestions to the Assembly: First, The World Health Organization should play a more important role in global health affairs, and the international community must strengthen its cooperation in this regard. Second, it is essential to establish and improve a global contingency mechanism and update the capacity to cope with global disease. And finally, economic growth and social development must be kept concerted and reciprocal.
On the outbreak of SARS, Wu Yi said it is a new epidemic that hasn't been fully understood. At the initial stage of SARS, the Chinese government didn't realize how serious the disease was, and China's public health system still had some setbacks. All these factors combined led the country's prevention and treatment to an awkward situation.
But the Chinese government realized the challenge soon and took decisive measures. As a responsible country ready to face all difficulties, China has always made people's health and security a top priority. The vice premier said the current prevention and treatment measures in the country are now under normal operation.
However, Wu Yi said China still faces a severe situation, because of its large population and migration. She said the Chinese government won't treat SARS lightly.
As Chinese Health Minister, the vice premier also met her counterparts from the United States, India, Spain and Cuba.
The WHA is an annual meeting of the 192－member WHO, and this year's conference is running from May 19 to 28. SARS containment, health problems in postwar Iraq, tobacco control and children's health are on the top of the conference's agenda.
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Editor: Han Ling CCTV.com
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