Foreign Ministry spokesperson ZhangQiyue said Tuesday that China
and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) will hold a
meeting on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) quarantine
management at customs checkpoints on June 1-2 in Beijing.
Zhang said at a press conference that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
suggested at a special meeting of China and ASEAN leaders that
China and ASEAN hold a meeting on SARS quarantine management at
customs checkpoints.
After negotiations among all sides, it was decided that the meeting
would be held in Beijing on June 1-2.
Senior representatives responsible for quarantine matters from 10
ASEAN countries, and officials and experts of the World Health
Organization (WHO) would be invited to the meeting, said Zhang.
China attaches much importance to the meeting and Chinese Vice
Premier Wu Yi would attend the meeting, Zhang said.
Representatives from Hong Kong and Macao would attend the meeting
as members of the Chinese delegation, she said.
Delegates from each country would exchange experiences in
preventing SARS and ensuring the safe flow of personnel, and push
forward tourism and trade developments in the region, Zhang
said.
(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2003)
