The Chinese government will donate US$10 million to support the global fight against avian influenza, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Wednesday in Beijing

 

"The Chinese government will continue to provide assistance within our capacity," Wen said at the Ministerial Session of the International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza.

 

Nearly 700 delegates representing more than 100 countries and 20 international organizations attended the conference in a bid to pool financial resources to curb the spread of bird flu.

 

The spread of avian influenza already threatens regional and global security and stability and the effective containment of the disease has become a common task for the international community, Wen said.

 

He said the spread of the bird flu in some countries and regions has not only impacted the economy and social development, but also severely endangered the health and life of the local people.

 

Describing bird flu prevention and control as a long-term, arduous task, Wen said it needs not only the "unremitting efforts" of all countries concerned, but also closer cooperation within the international community.

 

He called for developed countries, international organizations such as the World Bank, and transnational companies to make greater contributions towards fund-raising. 

 

"We expect countries to actively donate, and offer support to the establishment of a financial framework on multilateral assistance on bird flu control during the on-going conference." Wen said.

 

He also urged the international community to provide unconditional "timely" and "sufficient" financial help to those developing countries severely affected by bird flu.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2006)