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Text of Chinese Premier's Speech at International Anti-Bird Flu Conference

Posted on: Wednesday, 18 January 2006, 09:01 CST

Text of report by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency)

Beijing, 18 January: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a speech at the opening session of the Ministerial Meeting of the International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza. Following is the full text of the speech:

Premier Wen Jiabao's speech at the opening session of the Ministerial Meeting of the International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza

(18 January 2006, Beijing)

Distinguished delegates,

Today, representatives from over 100 countries, regions, and international organizations are meeting here in Beijing to discuss ways of enhancing international cooperation on avian influenza prevention and control. The conference, focusing on fund-raising, stands as a testimony to the political will and firm determination of the international community to fight avian influenza. It will thus play an important role in coordinating global efforts to prevent and control avian influenza.

At present, the spread of avian influenza in some countries and areas not only affects their economic and social development, but also poses a grave threat to public health and people's lives and even endangers regional and global security and stability. To effectively prevent and control avian influenza is the shared responsibility of the international community.

Giving top priority to ensuring the health security of its people and adhering to the principle of being people-centred [Chinese: jian chi yi ren wei ben], the Chinese government has acted in accordance with law, adopted a scientific approach and mobilized the general public to prevent the spread and outbreak of the epidemic and its transmission to humans. Specifically, we have taken the following steps:

First, carry out avian influenza prevention and control as required by law. We have amended the Law on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, promulgated the Regulation on Handling Major Animal Epidemic Emergencies, put in place emergency- response mechanisms and adopted related plans.

Second, establish an avian influenza surveillance and early- warning system. We have set up a national surveillance network that covers all provinces on the mainland and increased the number of networked influenza laboratories. This has effectively brought the epidemic under control.

Third, coordinate prevention and control efforts. We have put in place a mechanism that coordinates the efforts of the government agriculture, health, quality inspection and quarantine, industry, commerce, forestry and other departments and improved the epidemic reporting system to better implement concerted prevention and control measures.

Fourth, launch nationwide campaign for collective prevention and control. We have used the media to update the public on the latest development of the epidemic, disseminate knowledge on what to do to prevent and control avian influenza and have thus raised the general public's awareness of self-protection and their ability to take precautionary measures. We have also adopted policies such as providing free vaccine, compensating for culled poultry and supporting poultry farming to encourage public participation in avian influenza prevention and control.

Fifth, use advanced science and technologies to improve avian influenza prevention and control. We have intensified efforts in the diagnosis of avian influenza, epidemiological research and the development of new type of vaccine for birds and have made new progress in the research of vaccine for humans and preventive medicine and monitoring of migratory birds.

Sixth, strengthen the building of prevention system for humans and birds. We have adopted the policy of active immunization, carried out epidemiological survey and improved the accuracy of testing and diagnosis. We have also enhanced training for local medical workers and epidemic prevention staff so as to strengthen their capacity of discovering, controlling and treating epidemics.

Dear delegates,

The Chinese government sees great value and takes an active part in international cooperation in the prevention and control of avian influenza. Acting in a prompt, open and transparent manner, we have informed the international organizations and countries concerned of the epidemic situation among birds and cases of human infection in China. We have hosted and attended international conferences on avian influenza and have provided China's neighbours with financial, material and technical assistance within our capacity to assist their prevention and control efforts. Prevention and control of avian influenza is a long-term and arduous task, which requires both unremitting efforts of national governments and close cooperation of the international community. To promote global cooperation in the prevention and control of avian influenza, I wish now to propose the following:

First, establish a global cooperation mechanism on avian influenza prevention and control. The international community should conduct extensive cooperation, make full use of the various regional and sub-regional mechanisms, adopt prevention and control measures and set a mechanism for joint prevention and control. As a responsible member of the international community, China will continue to actively participate in international cooperation in avian influenza prevention and control, share our experience with related countries and help them fight avian influenza.

Second, build up capacities in prevention and control. The international community should promptly set up a global surveillance and early warning system against infectious diseases and help countries build up their capacities in early warning and emergency response. Countries should conduct joint epidemiological study and development of new drugs. China is ready to provide personnel training for ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] countries and other neighbours and carry out technical exchanges with countries concerned in epidemiological surveys, early warning and surveillance, laboratory testing, and clinical diagnosis and treatment. We are also ready to cooperate with countries and international organizations concerned to develop effective vaccines and drugs against avian influenza.

Third, give full play to the coordinating role of the United Nations and other international organizations. The UN should draw on its political strength and carry out effective policy coordination in international cooperation on avian influenza prevention and control. The World Heath Organization should provide more technical support to developing countries. China is ready to fully use the existing cooperation mechanisms to give countries and international organizations concerned timely and accurate updates on the latest development of the avian influenza epidemics. We will release relevant information such as the genetic sequencing of viral strains and work with the international community to develop response strategies. We are also ready to assist avian influenza prevention and control in other countries and areas through South-South cooperation and other forms of cooperation.

Fourth, increase funding support. The developed countries, international organizations such as the World Bank and major companies, should play a bigger role in fund raising. We hope that they will make active donation and support the adoption of the Multi- donor Financing Framework for Avian and Human Influenza at this conference. Under the framework, timely and sufficient funding assistance should be provided to the worst-affected developing countries, with no strings attached and with full respect for their sovereignty. To support the global effort to prevent and control avian influenza, the Chinese government has decided to provide 10m US dollars. The funds will be put in place in a speedy manner. In the future, we will provide assistance within our capacity to our neighbours and other countries in need through bilateral channels.

Dear delegates,

Avian influenza prevention and control is now a priority of the international community, and fruitful international cooperation in this area is being carried out. However, the spread of avian influenza remains a daunting challenge and we still have a long way to go in avian influenza prevention and control. Still, I am confident that with concerted efforts from the international community and all of you present at the conference, we can certainly defeat avian influenza and thus make new contribution to the advancement of human society.

In conclusion, I wish the conference every success.

Thank you!

Source: BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific

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