Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou handed over a check of 50,000 US dollars here Wednesday to support China in its battle against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

China's Ambassador to Cyprus Zhang Limin accepted the donation on behalf of the Chinese government.

"With a view to help the Chinese government tackle the various problems created due to SARS in China and express the friendly feelings of our people, the Cyprus government decided to contributeto this effort with a 50,000-dollar assistance," the foreign minister said during the ceremony.

Zhang expressed thanks to the government and people of Cyprus for their "good will and gesture," and briefed Iacovou the efforts and achievements Chinese government and its people have made in thebattle against the deadly disease.

"SARS is a common enemy of the mankind and thanks to the understanding and support of the people of the whole world, including the Cypriot people, China won a decisive victory over thekilling disease," the Chinese ambassador said.

Recalling that the World Health Organization "has removed Beijing from the blacklist of SARS-infected areas and at the same time lifted the travel advisory against its people," Zhang urged the Cypriot government to lift its bans on Chinese travelers.

On the Cyprus issue, Zhang said the Chinese government is consistent and favors "a permanent, viable solution to this problem on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions."

(Xinhua News Agency July 10, 2003)