Chinese Vice Premier and Health Minister Wu Yi met with World Health Organization (WHO) chief Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland here Sunday and briefed her on China's anti-SARS efforts.

Wu said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the health and safety of its people and that the fight against SARS isnow on top of the agenda of governments at all levels in China.

She pointed out that with more than two-month hard work, the SARS epidemic in China is under control to a certain extent. The number of new cases in China dropped to 28 as of Sunday.

"We cannot lower our guards as the epidemic might relapse with even minor oversight," she said.

Brundtland said the WHO highly appraises the effective measures taken and the great efforts made by the Chinese government in the prevention of SARS epidemic.

The director-general said the spread of SARS reminds the international community of the importance of building public health system.

Wu said, "Though facing many difficulties, we have both determination and confidence in the fight against the disaster, by relying on science and technology and the strength of the general public as well as with the support of the international community."

Wu also pointed out that the Chinese central government has always been concerned with the health and welfare of the people in Taiwan province. Since the epidemic of SARS took place in Taiwan, the mainland has invited health workers and experts from Taiwan tovisit the mainland for many times and shared information with them.

The mainland has also provided the newly-developed reagent to Taiwan, Wu said, adding that the people in Taiwan have access to all kinds of health information and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits is very close.

Brundtland said the Taiwan issue has been resolved in the World Health Assembly over the past few years. She said she does not want this issue to disturb the handling of the SARS epidemic and other issues in the world health area.

Editor: Liao Ming