The first "Overseas Chinese Online Anti-SARS Forum" was jointly
held on May 25, by the International Department of Education
Ministry, the global cooperation team of the research group of the
National Anti-SARS Command Center and the Education Office of
Chinese Embassies in Foreign Countries.
Overseas Chinese specialists and scholars have better knowledge
about latest technologies and their participation may greatly
enhance SARS research power, said Li Xueyong, member of the
research group of the National Anti-SARS Command Center, and vice
minister of science and technology.
According to a leading official from the Ministry of Education,
after the outbreak of SARS, overseas Chinese students not only
donated money and material, but also gave opinions, proposals and
technology projects to the mainland. Seven scholars who studied in
foreign countries had gone to the front line for anti-SARS
campaigns via the Ministry of Education. Up until now, five of them
have returned to China and have been involved in research and
clinical work, including Dr. Chen Luni, from Sweden, and Dr. Shi
Lingfang, from America. In addition, they have sent more than 170
pieces of work to the exclusive email box set up by the Ministry of
Education.
From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm May 25, technology information exchange is
operated between researchers and scholars from 14 foreign countries
and the Chinese mainland. Topics focus on early period diagnosis,
vaccines, and medical treatment. Fifteen government-related
researchers and experts joined the forum.
The online forum provides an information exchange platform for
experts from both domestic and overseas areas, integrating the
advances made by overseas Chinese researchers. It aims to assess
and improve present opinions, suggestions and projects, and collect
consultations for decision-making departments. Online forums of
this kind will be hold in the future featuring wider subjects like
disease prevention, clinic measures, medicines and epidemics. Two
IT Companies, which were created by overseas Chinese, provide
global online meeting services free to the forum. Sina.com.cn also
contributes.
(China.org.cn by Li Liangdu, May 28, 2003)
