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| 10＋3 SARS symposium opens in Beijing |
| CCTV.COM 2003-06-03 13:06:24 |
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China's efforts to prevent and treat SARS are increasingly standardized and carried out in an orderly way. The remark was made by China's Executive Vice Minister of Health, Gao Qiang, at a two－day symposium on SARS, which opened in Beijing Tuesday morning.
Over 100 health officials and experts from the Asian Pacific region will exchange information and seek regional and international cooperation in containing the epidemic. Chinese Vice Premier and Health Minister Wu Yi attended the opening ceremony.
The meeting is entitled: "ASEAN, China, Japan, and ROK 10－plus－3 High－Level Symposium on SARS." It's a follow－up to the joint declaration proclaimed at the special China－ASEAN Leaders' Meeting on SARS held on April 29 in Bangkok. The theme of the two－day symposium is to exchange information and experience in SARS prevention and treatment.
Chinese Executive Vice Health Minister Gao Qiang delivered the opening address.
Gao Qiang said candidly that China has paid a high price for the epidemic because the country's emergency alert and response system did not work appropriately and information did not flow smoothly at the beginning of the SARS outbreak. But he added that the Chinese government has earnestly drawn lessons from past experiences and adopted more effective measures to prevent, control and treat the epidemic. He proved with a series of figures that the SARS situation in China has improved and the rise in SARS cases has been subdued.
But Gao Qiang pointed out that China will maintain sharp vigilance to prevent potential relapses in SARS cases. He also called for all countries and regions in Asia and the world as a whole to join hands in conquering the deadly virus. Citing the 1997 financial crisis, Gao Qiang said SARS is another challenge facing China, ASEAN members and other Asian countries and regions.
Gaoqiang said, "We believe that through our concerted efforts in fighting SARS, our countries will enjoy more profound friendship, closer cooperation, enhanced consultation and dialogue, as well as better mechanisms for common development. The Chinese government is responsible not only for the Chinese people but also for the international community. We are ready to assume our responsibilities, fulfill our obligations and play a constructive role."
Also present at the seminar were delegates from the World Health Organization, health officials from Mongolia, the United States, Britain, France and Canada. The Cameroonian and Russian embassies in China also sent delegates to the meeting.
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Editor: Xiao Wei CCTV.com
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