Foreign Ministry spokesperson ZhangQiyue said Tuesday that China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) will hold a meeting on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) quarantine management at customs checkpoints on June 1-2 in Beijing.

Zhang said at a press conference that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao suggested at a special meeting of China and ASEAN leaders that China and ASEAN hold a meeting on SARS quarantine management at customs checkpoints.

After negotiations among all sides, it was decided that the meeting would be held in Beijing on June 1-2.

Senior representatives responsible for quarantine matters from 10 ASEAN countries, and officials and experts of the World Health Organization (WHO) would be invited to the meeting, said Zhang.

China attaches much importance to the meeting and Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi would attend the meeting, Zhang said.

Representatives from Hong Kong and Macao would attend the meeting as members of the Chinese delegation, she said.

Delegates from each country would exchange experiences in preventing SARS and ensuring the safe flow of personnel, and push forward tourism and trade developments in the region, Zhang said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2003)