Fund-raising meeting to be held in Beijing for bird flu prevention

An international meeting will be held in Beijing to raise funds for bird flu prevention and control from Jan. 17 to 18, 2006, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang announced Tuesday.

The meeting is being co-sponsored by the Chinese government, the European Union Commission, and the World Bank, Qin told a regular press conference.

The meeting would evaluate the funds and technology required to control bird flu in certain countries and regions and mobilize all parties to collect funds and establish a donation management mechanism, he said.

"Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing has sent an invitation to relevant countries and international organizations to participate in the meeting," he added.

According to the spokesman, a senior official meeting will be held on the first day to evaluate the current status of the bird flu epidemic and the required funds and technology. The ministerial-level meeting will be held on the second day to confirm the donations from certain countries or organizations, he said.

The Beijing declaration will be passed during the meeting to reflect the political resolve of all nations to cope with the bird flu, he said.

"China will take advantage of the meeting to push forward international cooperation on bird flu prevention and control," the spokesman said.

Source: Xinhua