South African Tourism spokeswoman Liz Sheridan said in Johannesburg "we were all aware of the hazards that SARS imposed on public health, the economy, and in particular tourism."

She said the return to normal life in Beijing supported the notion that the city had contained the pneumonia-like respiratory virus.

"As South Africans, we are very delighted that Beijing is coming back to life. This vindicates the belief we kept throughout, that Chinese authorities will be successful in containing the outbreak."

"We kept doors open for our Chinese friends in the full knowledge that South Africa has the world-class medical infrastructure, human resources and organizational systems to deal with SARS in South Africa."

The South African mission in Beijing had congratulated the Asian country following the WHO announcement.

South African Tourism is the official international marketing organization of South Africa as a tourist destination.

South African Tourism markets South Africa's scenic beauty, diverse wildlife, kaleidoscope of cultures and heritages, the great outdoors, sport and adventure opportunities, eco-tourism and conference facilities.

Marketing is undertaken via South African Tourism's international offices in strategic markets worldwide, like London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Milan, Sydney, New York, Tokyo and Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2003)