Premier Wen
Jiabao presided over an executive meeting of the State Council,
China's cabinet, on Wednesday to analyze and step up bird flu
prevention and control.
The premier said local authorities in affected areas have taken
the necessary measures.
He urged various localities to be vigilant particularly in
relation to preventing the spread of the virus and human
infections.
12 key measures were adopted at the meeting. Among other things,
the measures outline the duty of local authorities to perfect their
systems of monitoring, forecasting and reporting infections, and to
take harsh legal actions against those who are slow to report or
deliberately cover up outbreaks.
It was also decided at the meeting that the central government
will allocate two billion yuan (US$25 million) from this year's
central budget to a bird flu prevention and control fund, and set
up a national control center to oversee prevention and control
work.
It was highlighted during the meeting that China will continue
to cooperate with international organizations, making timely
reports to the relevant governments and bodies.
(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2005)