U.S. Relations with the People's Republic of China (2005)

U.S. Department of State

Avian and Pandemic Influenza

Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs; Dr. Lee Jong-Wook, Director General of the World Health Organization; Ann Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director
Foreign Press Center Briefing
New York, New York
September 15, 2005

11:00 A.M. EDT

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QUESTION: Toshimitsu Sama with Kyodo News. Thank you. I just want to know the level of cooperation with China because I think that Secretary Dobriansky didn't mention China as partner countries and I think China was criticized about their transparency when it - when the (inaudible) two years ago over there.

So I'd like to know how you report the cooperation from China?

UNDER SECRETARY DOBRIANSKY: In fact, the day before yesterday, one of my colleagues at the White House gave an on the record press briefing. I understand there was a statement released by the White House, but let me give a snippet of this.

This is a result of President Bush's meeting with President Hu Jintao. They talked quite a bit about the topic of avian flu. And that the key to protecting ourselves is early warning detection and containment. President Hu pledged China's cooperation and listed some of the things that China is doing internally to step up their efforts; pledged to increase work between our health and agricultural experts and the ministry of health and the ministry of agriculture in China; and also to strengthen international and multilateral cooperation on this. I'm sharing with you precisely from that discussion that took place at that level.

Can we take one more? Yes, sir.

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