Speech at the International Conference on Avian Influenza: China Perspective

This speech was delivered at a meeting co-sponsored by The World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health and the World Bank on avian influenza (AI) and human pandemic influenza held November 7-9 2005 in Geneva, Switzerland.

In this speech Chinese Ambassador Hu Xiaodi introduced the situation of avian influenza (avian flu or bird flu) in China, the measures China has taken in response to avian influenza, medium and long-term strategies, China's role in the global effort against avian influenza, as well as China’s proposals.

According to the ambassador, the Chinese Government attaches great importance to prevention and control of avian influenza and have taken a series of concrete measures in this regard. This has included establishing and improving networks throughout the country for monitoring, surveillance, preparation and response. They have also been engaged with formulating and implementing policies and contingency planning. According to the ambassador, when an outbreak is identified, there has been immediate response and the culling of affected poultry on the spot. They have also been establishing an open reporting system on epidemic situations, both nationally and internationally.

According to the speech, in terms of communication, there has been an effort to popularise science, as well as activities to increase public awareness. The Chinese Government publicises knowledge and information about avian influenza, as well as national policies and new methods of prevention and control through various types of media, such as television, radio, newspaper and the internet. They have also been undertaking activities to increase public awareness on conscientious prevention
and self-protection. The speech states that according to a recent survey, the awareness rate among Chinese farmers on avian influenza reached 98.6%.

According to the ambassador, China would like to further step up it's international cooperation with relevant international governments and countries concerned in the
following specific fields:

• Exchanging information of the avian influenza pandemic with international organisations and countries concerned, complementing each other regarding avian influenza prevention and control, contingency planning strategy and measures in response to influenza pandemic, as well as research and development in surveillance and prevention and control.
• China will provide support to the countries concerned in formulating contingency plan, on-site epidemiological investigation and lab test expert training in cases of human AI.
• Strengthening cooperation with countries, providing material and technical assistance.
• Enhancing cooperation with international organisations and other countries on surveillance of human avian influenza and early warming technology, particularly the setting up of symptom surveillance system.
• Stepping up cooperation with all parties in the research and development, production and stockpiling of anti-virus drugs and vaccines.
• Promoting domestic production of vaccine.
• Cooperating internationally regarding research and development in vaccine for human infections of AI and rapid test kits as well as in effectiveness and drug resistance.
• Cooperating with international organisations to strengthen national capacity.
• Supporting international organisations to enhance coordination to effectively use the international resources.