Cao Ronggui, president of the China Association for Hospital Management, said the health and lives of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits ought to come before the self-interests of a political party.

"Medical circles across the Straits should make joint efforts to serve the people's interests and bring the outbreak under control at an early date," he said.

Cao made the remarks yesterday on the sidelines of a videoconference on how to fight SARS, co-organized by Cao's association and the Taiwan Medical Alliance Association.

Nearly 50 medical experts from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan joined the four-way conference between Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Taipei.

The meeting is the third of its kind since May 9 to signal strengthened cooperation between non-government medical groups across the Straits fighting disease.

The videoconference focused on epidemiological investigation and the clinical treatment of SARS.

Regular cross-Straits meetings provide a platform for vital exchanges between medical experts and frontline health-care workers and help identify preventative and treatment measures.

Kao Ming-chien, president of the Taipei Association of Medical Affairs Alliance, also hailed the meeting, saying it will be of great use in helping the island take more effective steps to control the spread of SARS.

"Through exchanges of experience and lessons with counterparts from the mainland and Hong Kong, we hope medical workers in Taiwan can find scientific ways to curb infections and treat SARS patients more effectively," Kao said.

(China Daily May 28, 2003)