Press Release - April 13, 2003


President Hu Meets HKSAR Chief Executive

At the invitation of the Central Government of the People�s Republic of China, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Tung Chee Hwa, met with President Hu Jintao in Shenzhen yesterday (April 12).

The HKSAR Chief Executive reported to President Hu in detail on the development of atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong, the social and economic situation and the series of measures introduced by the HKSAR Government to combat the disease.

The HKSAR Chief Executive said while it could not be said at the present stage that the disease had been brought under effective control, the HKSAR Government now basically understood the nature of the disease, its mode of transmission and how best to treat it.

In light of the experience gained at an earlier stage, the HKSAR Government is trying its best to prevent medical and nursing staff from contracting the disease, trace those who have had close contact with patients, implement effective isolation measures, promote environmental and personal hygiene, step up health measures at ports of entry and strengthen exchanges and co-operation with Guangdong Province.

The HKSAR Government is deploying all the necessary manpower, financial and other resources to reduce the number of cases among medical and nursing staff and the public, to increase the recovery rate and enhance public confidence in fighting the disease. The HKSAR Chief Executive also explained to President Hu the current impact of the disease on various industries and sectors. He added that the HKSAR Government would soon introduce measures to relieve the difficulties of residents caused by the disease.

After hearing the HKSAR Chief Executive's briefing, President Hu fully affirmed the work done by the HKSAR in treating, preventing and controlling atypical pneumonia. He asked the HKSAR Chief Executive to relay his warmest regards to the patients and their families as well as his sincere gratitude to medical and nursing staff, civil servants and other sectors of the community for their efforts to prevent and treat the disease.

President Hu expressed the concern of the Central Government for preventing and controlling the disease in the HKSAR as well as the health and well-being of the HKSAR residents. He also pledged the full support of the Central Government should the HKSAR require the help of the Mainland, for example to furnish medical supplies and protective gear.

President Hu pointed out that the Central Government fully understood the complexities and difficulties involved in fighting the disease. It has also asked all provinces and cities to make their best effort to prevent and treat the disease under the principle of "putting the interests of the people foremost".

President Hu understood that the HKSAR Government was treating the fight against the infectious disease as its first priority. He is confident that under the leadership of the HKSAR Government and with the unrelenting efforts of all sectors, the disease will be overcome and Hong Kong will prosper again.

Also present at the meeting were the Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Liao Hui; the Secretary of CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Zhang Dejiang; the Governor of Guangdong, Huang Huahua; the Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Huang Liman; and the Mayor of Shenzhen, Yu Youjun.

The HKSAR Chief Executive said the initial meeting between the health authorities of Guangdong Province and the HKSAR had gone well. He expected that future meetings of the expert groups would promote further sharing of experience and information, as well as co-operation between the two places.

The leaders of Guangdong and Shenzhen were positive about strengthening exchanges and co-operation and said they would supplement the work of the HKSAR in preventing and treating the disease.

For updated information and latest news on respiratory tract infections, please visit the special home page on the subject at www.info.gov.hk/info/infection-e.htm, and the HKSAR Department of Health website at www.info.gov.hk/dh/ap.htm as well as the e-bulletin at www.news.gov.hk/en/index.shtml.