The General Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, has issued a circular calling for good administration of money and materials donated for the prevention and control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

According to the circular, local governments and departments concerned are instructed to set up an organized system to accept donations.

Civil affairs and health departments, and the China Red Cross and China Charity Federation are tasked with administering donations. Other departments and social organizations are forbidden to accept donations.

All donations are to be reported to the Ministry of Civil Affairs which shall inform the State Council and the China National Headquarters for the Prevention and Control of SARS.

The departments and organizations that accept donations are required to regularly make public the distribution and use of donated money and materials.

Departments concerned are asked to crack down on illegal activities to collect donations and strengthen auditing and supervision over the administration of donations.

The circular also calls on news media to play a supervisory role.

(Xinhua News Agency May 5, 2003)