Comments on Disease slammed

The Chinese Government has expressed indignation over Mongolia's accusation that its foot-and-mouth disease originated in China.

Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Huang Jiakui said the nation was "strongly dissatisfied." China is free of foot-and-mouth disease, Huang said.

Speaking in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital, on Wednesday, he said there is no evidence to support the Mongolian Government's assumptions.

Since earlier this year, foot-and-mouth has plagued Mongolia causing heavy economic losses to the country.

As a neighbour to the country, China has shown its concern and sympathy and the government has decided to give 2 million yuan (US$240,000) in aid, Huang said.

However, the media in Mongolia and the Intelligence Bureau there have been saying "the foot-and-mouth disease..... may come from South Asia via China's mainland," Huang said.

The Chinese Embassy in Mongolia has made solemn representations to the Foreign Ministry of the country and announced that "China is free of foot-and-mouth disease."

But the Mongolian side has neglected the statement and has continued to spread the assumption.

This has marred the reputation of China and hurt the feelings of the Chinese people, the official said.

The Chinese Government has expressed its strong displeasure to the Mongolian side, he added, and attaches great importance to preventing foot-and-mouth disease. It has implemented a series of effective measures to protect China from the disease, the diplomat said.

In line with international practices and Chinese law, China has banned the importing of cloven-hooved animals and any processed products of those animals from countries and regions struck by the disease.

China has an animal epidemic supervision system and animal epidemic forecast system which work to prevent the disease.

If the disease is found in neighbouring countries and regions, a 30-50 kilometre-wide immunity zone will be immediately set up along the border, according to the official.

Foot-and-mouth disease vaccines have been widely used in border areas, especially northern border areas, he said.










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