The central government has allocated 100 million yuan (US$12 million) in special funding for research into bird flu, a spokesman with China's National Avian Influenza Prevention Headquarters said Monday.

The funding would be used to develop vaccines, technology and products for rapid diagnosis, analysis of mutations of the virus, new transmission channels and technology for prevention and control, and the screening of anti-virus drugs, said the spokesman.

The spokesman said the science and technology task force of the headquarters was coordinating the country's resources for concerted efforts against the virus.

The headquarters, set up on Jan. 30, is headed by Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu.

The organization consists of the State Development and Reform Commission, the ministries of Finance, Health and Agriculture, the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs.

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2004)