JAKARTA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari declared malaria elimination in the country at the commemoration of the 2nd World Malaria Day in Jakarta on Wednesday.
In a statement, Fadilah said that malaria elimination was a policy to combat the disease gradually at various regions in Indonesia from 2010 to 2030.
According to Siti Fadilah, Indonesia as a tropical country and malaria endemic since November 12th, 1959 had stated 'the Malaria Combat Commando', marked by houses fogging to eliminate malaria mosquito by the Indonesian first President Soekarno in Yogyakarta province. The action managed to decrease malaria case significantly.
Last year, Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stressed the importance to increase awareness and alert against malaria via education, socialization and advocating to the public.
¡¤HEALTH MINISTRY: MEDICAL STAFF ON 24-HOUR STANDBY ¡¤QUALITY WATCHDOG: PORK IMPORT FROM MEXICO AND UNITED STATES SUSPENDED ¡¤AGRICULTURAL MINISTRY: EXPERTS ORGANIZED TO STUDY EPIDEMIC SITUATION ¡¤COMMERCE, FOREIGN MINISTRIES RECOMMEND TO POSTPONE TRIPS TO MEXICO
BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- China went on full alert Tuesday to guard against swine flu, as authorities ordered round-the-clock monitoring of the deadly virus and suspension of pork imports from Mexico and the United States.
Chinese President Hu Jintao Tuesday ordered the country to step up inspection and quarantine measures to prevent swine flu from entering China and ensure public health and safety.
Hu urged local Party and government departments to stick to the people-first policy, closely monitor the global swine flu situation, and take prompt and comprehensive measures to deal with the virus, which had killed about 150 people in Mexico.
Officials should enhance international cooperation and public awareness of swine flu, and make full preparations of necessary materials and technological reserves to combat the deadly virus, he said.
As of Tuesday morning, no confirmed cases of swine flu had been reported in China, and the related virus had not been found in pigs in the country which has the world's biggest pig population.
HEALTH MINISTRY: MEDICAL STAFF ON 24-HOUR STANDBY
The Health Ministry released a notice on Tuesday afternoon, ordering a round-the-clock working plan at all medical departments.
Authorities should enhance monitoring and reporting of suspected cases of swine flu, and should step up supervision at kindergartens, schools, colleges and nursing homes, focusing on the elderly and the children, it added.
Patients suspected of contracting the virus should be taken to designated hospitals, and treated and transported by designated emergency centers only, it said.
Medical supplies and equipment should be sufficiently provided to the designated medical institutions.
QUALITY WATCHDOG: PORK IMPORT FROM MEXICO AND UNITED STATES SUSPENDED
China's Agriculture Ministry and quality watchdog issued a joint notice on Monday suspending all imports of live pigs or products containing pork from Mexico and the US states of Texas, California and Kansas.
Live pigs or products shipped from the above regions to China before Monday could not enter the Chinese market without being tested by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the notice said.
The administration would enhance inspection of parcels and luggage carried by passengers entering China, and advance sterilization of passing international ships, trains and aircraft.
It would also join with the customs and border defence authorities to crack down on the smuggling of live pigs and their products.
On Saturday, the administration also required the public to report flu-like symptoms at the point of entry when coming from the swine flu affected places.
People who developed flu-like symptoms after returning from the disease affected regions within two weeks should also report to the local entry-exit inspection and quarantine authorities.
People reporting flu-like symptoms must be examined and those who have been infected or are suspected to be infected by the virus should be isolated and treated.
Those who have traveled to Mexico would be subject to stricter examinations, the administration said.
AGRICULTURAL MINISTRY: EXPERTS ORGANIZED TO STUDY EPIDEMIC SITUATION
The Ministry of Agriculture Tuesday announced a team of animal disease prevention experts would study the epidemic situation of the swine flu, and to make proposals for Chinese authorities to head off the virus.
Minister of Agriculture Sun Zhengcai said although China so far reported no suspected cases of swine flu nor any similar virus in pigs, the epidemic could still spread to China.
"The situation in some countries is worsening. More suspected cases are being found and the affected area is expanding," he said, "There are too many uncertainties."
Sun said the ministry had been in close contact with the WHO and agricultural departments of Mexico and the United States to make preparations.
The ministry was closely monitoring regions with large numbers of pigs, he said. Owners of live pigs imported from overseas since last year were required to promptly report to the ministry, should the pigs show abnormalities with their health.
The ministry was also working to develop a vaccine for the swine flu, Sun said.
COMMERCE, FOREIGN MINISTRIES RECOMMEND TO POSTPONE TRIPS TO MEXICO
China's Ministry of Commerce warned Chinese citizens not to work in Mexico in the near term, and to enhance prevention when they head to work in countries that have reported swine flu cases.
The United States, Canada, Spain and France had also reported cases of swine flu.
Jiang Yu, spokeswoman of China's Foreign Ministry, also warned Chinese citizens to take steps for disease prevention when visiting those countries.
The Foreign Ministry would closely follow the development of the swine flu epidemic, and would promptly publish new information.
The National Tourism Administration ordered travel agencies to suspend tour groups to Mexico, and advised Chinese citizens to avoid trips to the country.
Premier Wen calls for strengthened swine flu prevention
BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday called for enhanced swine flu prevention and control in a State Council, or Cabinet, meeting in the wake of an outbreak of the epidemic in countries including Mexico.
The meeting, presided over by Wen, heard reports from central government departments including the Ministry of Health, on global swine flu situation. Full story
World on higher alert for swine flu outbreaks
Passengers wear protective masks as they ride Mexico's city subway April 28, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery
BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- As the H1N1 swine flu is reported to have claimed 152 lives in Mexico and is confirmed to have hit Europe, the whole world is on higher alert for the new deadly virus, with the World Health Organization raising its pandemic alert level.
About 2,000 people in Mexico have been hospitalized with swine flu as of Monday, 776 of them in serious condition, according to official statistics. Full story
Swine flu poses new challenges to world economy
BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Fears are on the rise that the swine flu outbreak could jeopardize the already fragile global economy and reverse its initial recovery.
Mexico, which is at the epicenter of the deadly disease, has so far reported a total of 1,995 suspected cases and at least 149 suspected swine flu deaths. Its northern neighbor, the United States, reported 42 confirmed cases, including 28 at one New York City school. Full story
China takes preventive steps against swine flu
BEIJING,April 28-- The government Monday banned the import of pork and pork products from Mexico and the U.S. states of Texas, Kansas and California to prevent the spread of swine flu that has killed at least 100 people in the Central American country.
All pork and pork products imported from Mexico and the three U.S. states will either be returned to the suppliers or destroyed, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ) said. Full story
China's Health Ministry on high alert for swine flu
BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Health (MOH) is developing a diagnostic reagent for use in testing for swine flu, which has killed more than 100 people in Mexico, an MOH spokesman said Monday.
Research on a possible vaccine and medication to combat the deadly virus was also underway, MOH spokesman Mao Qun'an told Xinhua. Full story
China's capital sees pork consumption unaffected
BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Pork prices remained stable and consumption unchanged in Beijing Monday in the aftermath of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico as the government assured the pork is safe to eat.
At Xinfadi, Beijing's largest wholesale food market, hog and pork prices stood at between 11.5 yuan (1.7 U.S. dollars) and 13.5 yuan per kg. Full story
CHP: Hong Kong woman being tested for swine flu
HONG KONG, April 27 (Xinhua) -- A Hong Kong woman who recently developed symptoms of respiratory infection and fever while traveling to the United States was being tested for swine flu, the local Center for Health Protection (CHP) said Monday.
Hong Kong stepped up surveillance of swine flu on Saturday. The Center for Health Protection said it has since received reports on three patients in line with the reporting criteria. All-clear has been given to the other two patients. Full story
Health minister: "Probable" swine flu death toll reaches 152 in Mexico
MEXICO CITY, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos said late Monday that "probable" deaths toll from swine flu rose to 152 in the country.
Cordova announced the number, including both confirmed and suspected swine flu cases, at a news conference. Full story
U.S. swine flu cases rise to 40, drug stockpile released
WASHINGTON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. health officials said Monday that there are now up to 40 cases of swine flu in five U.S. States and they had released 25 percent of a federal drugs stockpile to states fighting swine flu.
Briefing reporters at a news conference in Atlanta on Monday, Richard Besser, acting director of the CDC, said 20 new cases were confirmed due entirely to further testing in New York at a school in Queens, bringing the New York total to 28. Full story
WHO raises pandemic alert level from Phase 3 to Phase 4
GENEVA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Amid the rapid spread of swine flu in some countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday raised its pandemic alert level from Phase 3 to Phase 4, warning of a significant increase in the risk of a pandemic.
Following the advice and guidance of an emergency committee, WHO Director-general Margaret Chan decided to raise the alert level from the current Phase 3 to Phase 4, a WHO official told the media on a teleconference. Full story
¡¤Hu met Aso, calling on two sides to cherish achievements made in bilateral ties. ¡¤Hu urged two sides to take measures to put bilateral trade back on track of stable growth. ¡¤Aso arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a two-day China tour.
Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in Beijing, capital of China, April 30, 2009. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery
BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso here on Thursday, calling on the two sides to cherish achievements made in bilateral ties.
"Since my visit to Japan in May last year, related parties on the two sides have made every effort to implement the consensus and decisions agreed upon during the visit, and had attained important progress in promoting the strategic and mutually-beneficial relations between China and Japan," Hu told Aso at the Great Hall of the People.
"These achievements have not come easy and should be cherished by us," said Hu.
Hu noted that as the global financial crisis spreads, trade between China and Japan had declined obviously. He urged the two sides to take effective measures to put bilateral trade and investment back on the track of stable growth as soon as possible.
China and Japan must step up information exchange and policy coordination, explore new areas of cooperation and exploit the full potential of their cooperation. They must particularly ensure successes in cooperation in energy-saving and environmental protection, information and telecommunications and high-tech industries, said Hu.
Sino-Japanese trade slid by 7.4 percent year on year in December and plumped by 24 percent in the first quarter of this year, figures from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce show.
Hu noted personnel and culture exchanges have an important and far-reaching impact on the development of Sino-Japan relations.
He urged the two countries to make full use of the existing channels and mobile every resources available to raise bilateral personnel and cultural exchanges, especially the exchanges between youths in general and young officials in particular, to a new height.
In multilateral areas, China and Japan should focus on advancing cooperation in East Asia so that the sub-region will collectively respond to global challenges such as the current financial crisis, he said.
The two countries must further enhance their coordination and cooperation in such regional mechanisms as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), the East Asia summit and the China, Japan plus ROK format, so that together they can promote peace, stability and development in Asia and the world at large, Hu said.
Aso said since Hu's successful visit to Japan in May last year, the two sides have made important progresses in implementing the projects agreed upon during the visits.
He expressed Japan's appreciation of the fact that the two countries have maintained frequent exchanges of visits by and good communications between state leaders.
Japanese and Chinese leaders have also met for many times in bilateral and multilateral occasions to exchange opinions on bilateral relations and issues of common concern, said Aso.
Japan and China are neighbors. Sound cooperation in political and economic fields and the continuous advancement of the strategic and mutually-beneficial relationship between them have laid a solid foundation for the future of this relationship, said the Japanese prime minister.
Aso said it is Japan's wish that the two countries will continue with the close communications at high level, strengthen cooperation in various fields, step up coordination in coping with the international financial and economic crisis, and promote youth exchanges.
Aso arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a two-day China tour, his first official visit to China since he took office in September.
China, Japan seek to combat crises on Aso's 1st official visit
BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan agreed to jointly fight financial and health crises as Taro Aso concluded his first official visit to Beijing as Japanese Prime Minister on Thursday.
"With the international financial crisis looming and bilateral trade declining, both countries should take effective measures to boost our trade and investment," Chinese President Hu Jintao told Aso at the Great Hall of the People Thursday afternoon. Full story
Hu calls on joint efforts to settle China-Japan disputes
BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday called for joint efforts from Japan to properly settle existing problems and disputes between the two countries, especially historical issues.
Hu told visiting Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso it is a set policy of the Chinese government to push forward China-Japan bilateral strategic mutual-beneficial ties in an all-round way. Full story
Wen urges Japan to properly handle historical issues
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd L) holds talks with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso (4th R) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 29, 2009 (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng) Photo Gallery
BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday called on Japan to honor its promise and handle historical issues in an appropriate way.
Inhis talks lasting more than two hours with his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso in the Great Hall of the People, Wen said historical issues were highly sensitive and affected people's feelings. Full story
PMs: China, Japan to boost co-op amid financial crisis
BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso on Wednesday pledged to further cooperation in dealing with the global financial crisis and lead regional economic growth.
Wen asked the two major world economies to stabilize bilateral trade and investment, expand cooperation in energy-saving and environmental sectors, information and communication technology, green economy and high-tech industries, as well as to cultivate new growth points. Full story
Chinese, Japanese premiers discuss bilateral ties, global downturn
BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held official talks on Wednesday with his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso on bilateral ties, the global economic downturn and other major issues of common concern.
"China-Japan ties are one of the most important bilateral links for both nations," Wen told Aso at the beginning of the meeting. "Stable, good-neighborly ties meet the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and also help world peace, stability and development." Full story
Japanese PM arrives in Beijing for two-day visit
BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso arrived here at noon Wednesday, starting a two-day official visit to China.
Aso will meet with Chinese leaders, exchange views with representatives of youth, business and cultural organizations and visit a Sino-Japanese cooperation project involving a Beijing-based steel maker. Full story
China says relations with Japan "on important period"
BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday said the ties with Japan were at an important period to build a mutually beneficial relationship and further enrich its content.
Jiang Yu, spokeswoman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made the remarks at a regular press conference when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso's upcoming visit. Full story
Posts
