Leaders of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
and China issued a joint statement here Tuesday, calling for
collective efforts in the world to fight severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS).
The statement was issued upon the conclusion of their special
meeting on the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in
Bangkok.
In
the statement, the leaders expressed their deep concern with the
mounting threat to life and health of the people in Asia and the
world at large due to SARS, noting that SARS has already had a
serious adverse impact on the economy and society of the countries
in the region.
The leaders called for exchanges and cooperation among the ASEAN
members, and stressed the need for collective efforts in the ASEAN
region and the rest of the world to effectively tackle the
challenges posed by the deadly virus.
In
a fresh bid to contain SARS, the leaders agreed to promote exchange
of information and sharing of experience in respect of SARS control
and prevention, according to the statement.
The leaders also emphasized the importance of strong leadership,
political commitment, multi-sectoral collaboration and partnership
at the national and regional levels to fight the epidemic.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attended the special meeting along with
the leaders of the ASEAN member countries. The ASEAN groups Brunei,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. Enditem
(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2003)
