Stressing that all diseases, particularly new infectious disease of unknown causes, are common enemies of mankind, and that cross-border spread of SARS is a common challenge to the world and to Asia in particular, Wen proposed the following measures of cooperation between China and ASEAN:

-- to establish a reporting mechanism with respect to epidemic and disease prevention and treatment;

-- to carry out exchanges of experience and go for cooperated SARS research;

-- to accelerate the bilateral health cooperation process;

-- to coordinate border exit and entry control measures; and,

-- to do everything possible to minimize the adverse effects of SARS, including the establishment of a China-ASEAN workshop to look into possible counter-measures.

Wen also said that China has taken the following measures to contain the disease:

-- strengthening prevention across the board to contain the spread of the disease, making SARS a statutory epidemic under the country's legislation, and establishing an open and transparent system for epidemic reporting and news release;

-- going all out to treat SARS patients and setting up SARS funds;

-- establishing an epidemic contingency mechanism and enhancing the capacity for emergency management. China lost no time in establishing and improving a national public health contingency response mechanism, including a disease monitoring and data collecting and sharing network, and a collaborative network of laboratories;

-- stepping up critical SARS research and exploring effective methods of diagnosis and treatment; and

-- enhancing cooperation with the international community and drawing on others' successful experience.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2003)