The 56th World Health Assembly (WHA) opened in Geneva on Monday amid a global concern over the infectious epidemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

The containment efforts will be a major issue concerned by participants of the event, as the latest figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that 31 countries and regions have reported some 7800 SARS cases so far.

The highlights of this year's WHA include the appointment of new Director-General Dr. Jong Wook Lee, who will succeed Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtl and start his five-year term on July 21, and the possible adoption of the framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

According to the secretariat of the WHA, health ministers will also discuss issues such as post-war health challenges in Iraq and violence prevention, healthy environment for children.

The WHA is the annual meeting of the 192-member WHO, and this year's assembly will last till May 28.

Chinese Vice Premier and Health Minister Wu Yi has led a delegation to attend the meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2003)