Wu was speaking while meeting with Henk Bekedam, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) office in China and members of the WHO specialist team who came to China to investigate SARS.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of the central and local governments and medical workers in China, SARS had been effectively curbed with a decreasing rate of new SARS cases and increasing numbers discharged from hospital, Wu told the guests.

Wu praised the work of the specialist team in Beijing and Guangdong, commending their hardworking, friendly attitude and diligence.

She urged all relevant Chinese departments to seriously deal with the suggestions put forward by the experts and make concrete improvements.

With concerted efforts from WHO and Chinese experts, it was possible to make greater progress in seeking the cause of the disease and eventually eradicating it, she said.

On China's SARS situation and prevention efforts, Wu said SARS was a new epidemic disease so countries worldwide took time to understand it. After the outbreak of the disease, the Chinese government attached high importance to its cure and prevention, she said, adding that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had made SARS prevention a priority for the government.

China had urged governments at all levels and all relevant departments to take effective measures to curb its spread, she said.

China had already set up an inter-ministerial conference to coordinate all efforts and a national group headed by a health minister for SARS prevention and treatment, she said.

The Chinese government had also adopted a series of measures to ensure the health and security of foreigners residing in China, she added.

"We will pay close attention to the SARS situation and make further efforts for SARS control," she said.

The cooperative relations between the Chinese government and WHO remained good. The two sides maintained close, friendly and practical cooperation. "The Chinese government is willing to further strengthen and develop such good ties for the sake of people's health," she said.

WHO experts briefed Wu on their work in China, saying they were impressed by the support given by governments at various levels. They commended the professional and sacrificial spirit demonstrated by medical workers in China. In their views, Guangdong's experience in SARS surveillance, epidemic control and prevention in hospitals and communities, as well as international SARS cooperation was unmatched and applicable to other regions in China and other countries in the world.

They said the WHO was ready to strengthen cooperation with China and provide necessary assistance.

Wu said the Chinese government would increase investment in public health and make efforts to set up and improve the public emergency mechanisms on health issues.

The expert team was here at the invitation of China's Ministry of Health.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2003)