ASEAN, China Issue Joint Statement on Fighting SARS

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, April 30, 2003

ASEAN, China Issue Joint Statement on Fighting SARS

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Leaders of China and the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called Tuesday for exchanges and cooperation to effectively tackle the challenges posed by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

In a joint statement issued in Bangkok following their special meeting on SARS, the leaders expressed their deep concern about the mounting threat to life and health of the people in Asia and the world as a whole due to SARS, noting that SARS has already had an adverse impact on the economy and society of the countries in the region.

The leaders called for exchanges and cooperation among the ASEAN members, and stressed the need for concerted efforts in the region and the rest of the world to effectively tackle the challenges posed by the deadly disease.

In a fresh bid to contain SARS, the leaders agreed to promote exchange of information and share experience in respect of SARS control and prevention, according to the statement.

The leaders also emphasized the importance of strong leadership, political commitment, multi-sectoral collaboration and partnership at the national and regional levels to fight the epidemic.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attended the special meeting along with the leaders of the ASEAN member countries.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Main points of ASEAN-China joint statement on SARS

The two sides agreed to develop and strengthen cooperation on SARS control and take coordinated measures to reduce and eliminateits multi-faceted impact on the region.

The Chinese side pledged RMB 10 million yuan (about 1.2 millionUS dollars) to launch a special fund in support of China-ASEAN cooperation program on SARS control and prevention and the eradication of its multifarious impacts.

Health ministers and other relevant officials of China and ASEAN members were directed to undertake the following measures:

-- exchange information on the latest developments of SARS, including its control and treatment, and related study and research;

-- appoint a focal/contact point in every country for the routine exchange of information as part of a "hotline" network to facilitate communication in an emergency;

-- carry out cooperative research and training focusing on SARS spread patterns, pathology and care and treatment of severe SARS cases.

-- jointly sponsor a high-level international symposium on SARS control and treatment in China as soon as possible;

-- sponsor a special symposium to assess the political, security, economic and other possible impacts of SARS on this region.

-- take rigorous measures for immigration and customs control to prevent the spread of SARS.

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