1. Chinese, U.S. Presidents Talk over Phone
2. Chinese FM: The Beijing Talks A Good Beginning
3. Beijingers Calm in Face of Adversity
4. China Creates SARS Task Force, Special Fund
5. Experts Explore SARS Cure Combining Chinese, Western Medicine

Summary

Talking over phone with U.S. President George W. Bush on April 26, Chinese President Hu Jintao said that the Chinese government is confident in the fight against SARS and ready to strengthen cooperation with the international community. On the Beijing talks on the nuclear issue of DPRK, Hu said it is a good beginning and China will continue making its own efforts to push for a peaceful resolution to the issue.

Meeting with heads of the delegations, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said that the Beijing talks had received attention and welcome from the international community. He hoped that the parties would continue to exert their efforts for a peaceful settlement of the issue.

From watching DVD films at home to flying kites in nearby parks, ordinary residents in Beijing are striving hard to deal with the aftermath of the SARS outbreak and becoming increasingly calm as the reality of the spread of the flu-like virus sinks in.

Chinese government decided on April 23 to set up a task force to coordinate national efforts to combat SARS and created a national fund of US$ 243 million for prevention and control of the disease.

A medical seminar was held in Hong Kong on May 4th to search after treatment for SARS with combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine. Two herbalist doctors from Chinese mainland attended the meeting and introduced their experience of using herb medicine as supporting cure for the disease.


1. Chinese, U.S. Presidents Talk over Phone

Chinese President Hu Jintao talked over phone with U.S. President George W. Bush in the night of April 26 at the request of the U.S. side.

Hu said the Chinese government gives priority to people’s health and life and is stepping up implementation of effective measures to fight SARS.

Noting that SARS is the common enemy of the human being, Hu said China is ready to strengthen cooperation with the international community.

Hu stressed that he Chinese government is confident in and capable of effectively containing and winning the fight against SARS after arduous efforts.

Bush spoke highly of the Chinese government’s extraordinary work in fighting SARS and said the U.S. side is willing to offer any possible support and assistance.

On the Beijing talks on the nuclear issue of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Bush expressed his appreciation for China’s positive efforts, saying he agreed to continue this process to solve the issue through diplomatic means.

Hu said that the Beijing talks was a good beginning for a peaceful resolution to the issue and the Chinese side holds that the non-nuclearization on the Korean peninsula is conducive to regional peace and stability and conforms to the interests of all parties.

Meanwhile, the security concern of the DPRK side should also be addressed, said Hu.

While the issue is complicated, ways to solve the issue will be found, Hu added. The Chinese side will continue making its own efforts to push for a peaceful resolution to the issue.

2. Chinese FM: The Beijing Talks A Good Beginning

On the morning of April 25th, the Beijing talks between China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States on the DPRK nuclear issue concluded.

Meeting with heads of the delegations, China’s Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said that the Beijing talks signified a good beginning and had received attention and welcome from the international community.

Li expressed the hope that the parties would continue to exert their efforts for a peaceful settlement of the issue.

Both the DPRK and the U.S. sides voiced their endorsement with Li, saying that during the talks, the parties had stated their stances, fully exchanged their views and thus enhanced mutual understanding. The parties agreed that they would continue to maintain contact on further talks through diplomatic channels.

Li said that the DPRK’s nuclear issue was very complicated and sensitive, but human effort should be a decisive factor. The top priority at present is to proceed from the overall situation of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and realizing denuclearization of the peninsula and insist on resolving the issue through peaceful talks. This is the sole choice that is beneficial to all parties.

Li said that it was not strange to have differences in discussion of major issues. The crux of the matter was to pay attention to substantial content of the discussion rather than being confined to the form. The two parties should heed the wordings and statements, and more importantly, attach importance to the deeds of each other. The ultimate goal is to serve the long-term interest of the people of the relevant countries.

3. Beijingers Calm in Face of Adversity

From looking after toddlers at home to canceling wedding gatherings, ordinary Chinese people are striving hard to deal with the aftermath of the SARS outbreak and becoming increasingly calm as the reality of the spread of the flu-like virus sinks in.

Chinese people began on May 1st to enjoy the five-day holiday to celebrate International Labor Day, which was shortened this year by the government to prevent nationwide travel and stop the spread of SARS.

The shadow of SARS failed to stop a group of kite-flyers from enjoying the balmy spring sunshine of in Beijing’s Xicheng District. Mr. Xu, a retired worker, and his senior peers had not missed a single day of flying kites in a small park nearby.

“What use is it to lock yourself up at home shaking at the prospect of the disease?’’ said Xu, “We read in newspapers that the key to fighting SARS is to build up your health. Fresh air in open spaces and a light heart will help combat the infection.”

Si You, an engineer in Beijing who flew to his hometown to see his ill mother 10 days ago, said he was not able to see his parents until May 1st. “I’m from a disease-stricken region so I had to isolate myself for a few more days even though I knew I was fine. Only then can I feel it is safe to see my mother,’’ said Si.

Beijing’s decision to close theatres, cinemas and other entertainment centers has forced more residents to use the Internet or rent DVDs. A movie fan in Beijing, who identified himself as Zhou, said he used his Internet broadband access to watch movies online.

But the greatest impact on ordinary residents was the change in their everyday personal health and hygiene habits. Apart from paying closer attention to what they eat and where to go, people are washing their hands with greater regularity because of the SARS threat.

An Yi, a doctor at Beijing’s Anding Hospital, said anxiety usually accompanies an epidemic outbreak, but excessive stress may erode body immunity.

In fact, the Beijing Public Health Bureau has opened a hotline to ease fears of SARS.

4. China Creates SARS Task Force, Special Fund

On April 23 China decided to create a national task force to combat SARS, and a national fund of US$ 243 million for prevention and control of the disease.

The central government decided to set up the task force, known as the SARS Control and Prevention Headquarters of the State Council, to coordinate national efforts to combat the disease.

Vice-Premier Wu Yi was appointed as commander-in-chief, and Hua Jianmin, State Councilor and secretary general of the State Council, as deputy commander-in-chief.

The State Council also decided to create a SARS Control and Prevention Fund with about US$ 243 million in funding from the central government.  

The fund will be used to finance the treatment of farmers and poor urban residents infected with SARS and to upgrade county-level hospitals and purchase SARS-related medical facilities in central and western China, and for research programs on the virus.

To upgrade disease control institutions in the central and western regions, the Chinese government will allocate another US$109 million.

The central government also allocated US$ 73 million for the initial phase of the China Center of Disease Control and Prevention.

5. Experts Explore SARS Cure Combining Chinese, Western Medicine

A medical seminar, organized by the Hong Kong Health Authority, was held on May 4th to search after treatment for SARS with combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine.

Two herbalist doctors from the Chinese mainland attended the meeting and introduced their experience of herbal treatment as supporting cure for the disease.

The herb doctors, who are from neighboring Guangdong Province, have joined cure practice on SARS and obtained special experience in improving treatment via traditional Chinese medicine.

Officials for the Authority said mainland herbalists’ coming to Hong Kong is a “breakthrough in medical field,” which will enhance the cooperation in containing the virus.

Director of the Authority Ko Wing-man said after the meeting that the Hong Kong and mainland doctors will firstly review together the function and side effect of the combined treatment. After that it will be put into clinical use.

In light of the reports of effective treatment of herbal medicines, there are suggestions that Hong Kong should borrow mainland experiences of using herbal medicines. The Hospital Authority decided last week to deliver instant Chinese medicine crystal powder to the front-line medical staff in public hospitals to help them guard against the SARS virus.

Linlin, a senior doctor of traditional Chinese medicine from Guangdong province, said that more works should be done to find effective methods of combining herb medicine with western treatment.

“According to our experience in Guangdong, Chinese medicine has its advantages in the treatment for SARS,” she said.

Leung Ping-chung, professor of Hong Kong University and expert on Chinese medicine who supports the selective use of Chinese medicine, said that the cooperation between Hong Kong and mainland medical professionals would accelerate the research on treatment.

“I believe the creative practice will give a good example for combination of Chinese and western medicine and open the door wider for medical cooperation in the future,” he said.