Leaders of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China issued a joint statement in Bangkok Tuesday, calling for collective efforts in the world to fight severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

The statement was issued upon the conclusion of their special meeting on the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Bangkok.

In the statement, the leaders expressed their deep concern with the mounting threat to life and health of the people in Asia and the world at large due to SARS, noting that SARS has already had a serious adverse impact on the economy and society of the countries in the region.

The leaders called for exchanges and cooperation among the ASEAN members, and stressed the need for collective efforts in the ASEAN region and the rest of the world to effectively tackle the challenges posed by the deadly virus.

In a fresh bid to contain SARS, the leaders agreed to promote exchange of information and sharing of experience in respect of SARS control and prevention, according to the statement.

The leaders also emphasized the importance of strong leadership, political commitment, multi-sectoral collaboration and partnership at the national and regional levels to fight the epidemic.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attended the special meeting along with the leaders of the ASEAN member countries. The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2003)