The Beijing municipal government's decision to establish a SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) hospital in the Xiaotangshan area in the outskirts of Beijing was correct, World Health Organization experts said in Beijing on Tuesday.

After visiting the SARS hospital, the WHO officials and experts described its construction and management as "impressive".

The director of the Xiaotangshan Hospital briefed the WHO experts on equipment, epidemic prevention and environmental protection in the hospital, and WHO experts talked with hospital staff.

The WHO experts agreed that the building of such a large-scale epidemic hospital with good management in a week's time is tantamount to a miracle.

They also proposed suggestions for ventilation and air-conditioning as well as prevention measures for medical staff.

(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2003)