Geneva

Mr. Chairman,

At the outset, please allow me to congratulate on your assumption of the Chairmanship of the 2009 Meeting of Experts to the Biological Weapons Convention (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention"). We are confident that your rich experience and diplomatic skill will lead the meeting to a success. The Chinese delegation pledges you its full support in the discharge of your duty.

Mr. Chairman,

Traditional and non-traditional security threats are intertwined as the world entered into a new century. In today's world where globalization and biotechnology are developing more rapidly than ever, the non-traditional security threats such as pandemic disease and public health emergencies pose a threat to human health and social economic development and constitute a serious challenge to global security.

Proper measures against pandemic disease and effective disease surveillance and control mechanisms are critical to public health and social stability. They are also of great significance to the protection against and combating of bioterrorism, and to the enhancement of global bio-security. The subject of our meeting is therefore closely related to the objectives of the Convention.

Mr. Chairman,

At present, global disease surveillance and control is faced with a serious challenge. New infectious diseases are emerging while certain disappeared diseases are making a comeback. The ever-increasing cross-border travel is contributing to the spread of infectious diseases worldwide.

A great number of developing countries are facing common difficulties such as under-developed infrastructure, inadequate pathogen detection capability and medical care service. Emergency response system needs to be improved. Therefore, China believes that the international cooperation needs to be further strengthened in the following areas:

Firstly, epidemics information sharing. Continue to strengthen and improve the existing disease notification mechanisms. Information about any outbreak of acute infectious diseases should be shared in accordance with the current practice of relevant international organizations.

Secondly, science and technology exchange and cooperation. States Parties that are better off are encouraged to share their knowledge and experience with other States Parties through exchange of bacteria (virus) samples, provision of vaccines and equipment, and joint development of research project.

Thirdly, personnel exchange. States Parties are encouraged to promote contact and experience sharing between professional institutions.

Fourthly, global outreach. Efforts are to be made to strengthen exchange and cooperation between States Parties and international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), so as to make full use of their available resources and services.

Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to disease surveillance and control. To date, China has set up a well structured and functioning system of disease prevention and control and medical care covering both urban and rural areas.

In China, human, animal and plant disease surveillance and control are regulated and supervised by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture respectively. China has worked continuously to improve its national epidemic reporting network, increase the number of data collection points, collect and collate information and conduct field investigations in a timely manner.

Emergency response systems at the national and local levels have been established and improved. Disease-specific advisory committees and emergency response teams have been set up and emergency response plans prepared. Laboratories have been upgraded and pathogen detection capability improved. Tailor-made training programmes and contingency drills have been organised for emergency response staff to enhance their preparedness and response capability.

Mr. Chairman,

China remains committed to the promotion of cooperation with other States Parties and relevant international organizations in the field of disease surveillance and control. China has provided aid to other States Parties in an effort to enhance their disease surveillance and control capability.

Bilateral assistance. In 2006, the Chinese Government undertook to provide RMB 300 million to African countries for the purchase of anti-malarial drugs and the construction of anti-malaria centers. To date 15 such centers have been built and seven Chinese medical teams of 33 medical specialists have been sent to 15 African countries to assist them in the protection against and control of malaria. In recent years, China has provided assistance to Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt and  other countries, in the form of donation or supply of avian influenza vaccines, materials, equipment and technical training on animal disease prevention and control, building of animal disease monitoring stations, in an effort to enhance their capacity for animal disease prevention and control.

Regional cooperation. In 2007, China hosted a training course on Avian Influenza control Technology for Pacific Island countries. In 2009, a training course on pandemic influenza A (H1N1) laboratory detecting technology was organized by China for specialists from ASEAN countries.

Cooperation with international organizations. China has provided timely and accurate information to international organizations such as WHO and OIE regarding outbreaks of diseases. Since 2005, China has jointly organized, with WHO and the Pasteur Institute, annual international symposiums on the prevention and control of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza and pandemic influenza.

Mr. Chairman,

Any major public health threats such as pandemic disease can not be effectively addressed without collective efforts of the international community. It has been proved essential for the State Parties to discuss and exchange their experiences and practices on this subject within the framework of the Convention. The Chinese delegation has submitted to the meeting two Working Papers, respectively entitled China's Efforts and Measures to Strengthen Epidemic Surveillance and Control and China's Approach to and Proposal for Strengthening International Cooperation in the Field of Epidemic Surveillance and Control. In the coming days, we will provide more information on China's practice and proposal through presentations and poster. China will be actively involved in the discussions in a constructive manner, and will work with you to bring the meeting to a success.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.