I came to attend this conference in the spirit of candid responsibility, trust and cooperation. I will brief ASEAN leaders on the SARS situation in China, major experience and lessons in the prevention and treatment of SARS, and the measures taken by the Chinese government. I hope that mutual understanding and trust between China and ASEAN countries will be promoted and cooperation between us will be enhanced through this conference. //

The SARS epidemic currently spreading in some countries and regions poses a grave threat to life and health of mankind. SARS is a brand new contagious disease, yet to be fully understood to mankind. There is neither a conclusive method of diagnosis, nor an effective cure, nor a full understanding of how this disease spreads.//

Given our huge and highly mobile population and our lack of experience with controlling a sudden epidemic, the country is still faced with a serious situation despite a great deal of work. Right now, places like Guangdong, where SARS hit rather early, still see a few new cases. The number of SARS cases in Beijing, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia is rising noticeably. The situation has not been brought fully under control and there is the tendency of spreading to most provinces of China. //

The Chinese Government is a highly responsible government, ready to face difficulties squarely and putting the health, safety and life of the people above everything else. We have taken resolute steps in an effort to turn the situation around, and will continue to do so. //

First, strengthening prevention across the board to contain the spread of disease. The Chinese government has made SARS a statutory epidemic under the country’s legislation, and established an open and transparent system for epidemic reporting and news briefing. We make daily report of SARS statistics to the WHO, and publish it to the communities in the meantime. By ensuring early detection, early reporting, early quarantine and early treatment, we have done everything possible to control infection source. We have imposed strict quarantine and prevention measures in public transit systems, major locations and ports of exit and entry. //

Second, going all out to treat SARS patients and setting up the SARS funds. The central government has allocated RMB 2 billion yuan for the establishment of a SARS fund, to be used mainly for the treatment of SARS patients from rural background or needy urban families and for emergency upgrading of county-level hospitals in the poor areas of central and western China and their purchases of SARS-related medical equipment. //

Thirdly, establishing an epidemic contingency mechanism and enhancing the capacity for emergency management. We lost no time in establishing a national public health contingency response mechanism, a disease monitor and data collection network and an ascertaining network of laboratories. The central government has allocated RMB 3.5 billion yuan for infrastructure development of a national disease control system, together with other special expenditures for the construction of the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention. //

Fourthly, stepping up critical SARS research and exploring effective methods of diagnosis and treatment. We have mobilized multi-disciplinary experts across the country to look for the cause of the SARS epidemic, and study new methods of diagnosis and treatment. We have developed a fast diagnostic method and are trying to improve it and testing it clinically. Efforts are also made to research and develop drugs and equipment for SARS prevention and treatment. The central government has provided special fund for SARS research and development. //