Respected Madame Chair Ms.Karin,

　　Honorable WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan, Regional Director for the Western Pacific Region Dr. Shin Young-soo, Assistant Director-General Dr. Keiji Fukuda,

　　Honorable OIE Director General Dr. Bernard Vallat, FAO Chief Veterinarian Officer Dr Jouan Lubrth,

　　Ladies and gentlemen:

　　During this World Health Assembly, China and WHO jointly convened this side event on Influenza A(H7N9) in order for officials and experts from WHO, FAO, OIE and relevant countries to communicate epidemic information and discuss common methods for prevention and control. This type of smooth communication and exchange is very necessary, and this demonstrates our commitment to global health security and human health.

　　At the end of March this year, after receiving reports of three cases of pneumonia with unknown cause, in a very short period of time, the health authorities of China confirmed that those cases were human infections with the H7N9 avian influenza virus. As of May 20, a total of 130 confirmed cases had been accumulatively reported in mainland China. The cases are of sporadic nature, scattering around 10 provinces such as Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, etc. Currently, 72 cases recovered, and 36 cases died.

　　The Chinese government has taken the epidemic outbreak very seriously and  has always put people's life and health in the first place. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang immediately demanded that all relevant localities and departments pay high attention, and take the epidemic prevention and control as an important task of protecting national welfare and people's livelihood. A Vice Premier served as the commander for prevention and control of epidemic. We held many high-level meetings to study the prevention and control strategies. Multi-sectoral prevention and control mechanism is set up, led by the National Health and Family Planning Commission and participated by 16 ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Forestry Administration, etc. Adhering to the principle of legal and scientific response, prioritized work and differentiated guidance, these institutions are guiding the nation for taking strong, orderly, effective, and appropriate prevention and control measures. According to their different epidemic situation and needs, the central government provided each province with distinctive response strategy and guidance.

　　Firstly, Patients have been given utmost care. Health institutions have efficiently worked out treatment plans and carried out medical personnel training. Early detection, early reporting, early diagnosis and early treatment have been followed. Hospitals have been pooling experts and resources for focused treatment of patients, so as to reducing the number of severe cases and deaths. At the same time, no patient is left untreated due to lack of payment.

　　Secondly, surveillance has been intensified. Health institutions at all levels have strengthened the surveillance of pneumonia with unknown causes, influenza-like illnesses and pathologies. The agriculture and forestry authorities have strengthened the monitoring of animals, poultry and wild birds. We promptly carried out risk assessment and situation analysis. Local authorities have organized epidemic tracing, on-site epidemiology investigations, tracing of close contacts to poultry, and hygienic disposal, etc.

　　Thirdly, local governments have shut down live poultry markets temporarily or permanently as needed to control the source of outbreak. They have also taken integrated measures to standardize live poultry transports and strengthen health education to curb the epidemic from spreading.

　　Fourthly, the central government has allocated RMB￥600 million, around 97 million USD to support healthy development of the poultry industry. Scientific prevention and control of the epidemic can go hand in hand with the poultry industry restructuring and upgrading.

　　Fifthly, information has been open and transparent. Epidemic updates have been timely and accurately released. Prevention and control knowledge has been widely disseminated. Risk communication with the public has been strengthened.

　　Sixthly, we have organized focused research programs on diagnostic techniques, vaccines, etiology, epidemiology, clinical treatment, and animal models, etc. These researches provide scientific and technological support for the epidemic prevention and control.

　　In the process of epidemic prevention and control, China and WHO had smooth channels of communication and good collaboration. The Chinese government has effectively implemented theInternational Health Regulations and timely notified the World Health Organization and relevant countries and regions of the epidemic. We have taken the initiative to share the virus strains with the WHO Influenza Reference and Research Collaborating Centers as well as their designated laboratories, and conducted extensive international exchange and cooperation. I had a phone conversation with Dr. Margaret Chan on the epidemic cooperation. Upon our invitation, WHO experts came to China and joined Chinese experts in assessing China’s response to the epidemic. They gave us a lot of valuable constructive suggestions. We held a joint press conference with WHO to inform domestic and international media of the epidemic updates and our prevention and control progress. China's response efforts have been supported by WHO, FAO, OIE and relevant countries and regions. On behalf of the Chinese government, I would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to you all!

　　In view of the present situation, the avian influenza A (H7N9) is preventable and controllable. There has been no qualitative change of the epidemic. Cases are sporadic. There has been no virus mutation. Available evidence proves no human-to-human transmission. Since May, the number of new cases has decreased significantly. Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong have lifted the emergency response and the spread has been effectively curbed. Prevention and control have been proven effective. However, due to our limited understanding of the virus and the disease, it is imperative to continue to be vigilant and prepared with further contingency plans. Chinese government’s successful response this time benefited from our efforts in the past decade in strengthening public health system and establishing a sound emergency response mechanism. Just as a Chinese saying goes, “prepardness ensures success, unpreparedness spells failure”. We feel that, in response to public health security, full preparedness and active actions are critical.

　　Ladies and gentlemen, emerging infectious diseases, such as avian influenza A(H7N9), are common challenges to humanity. The international community needs to work actively to strengthen the institutional capacity building of public health, facilitate epidemic communications, exchange experiences in prevention, control and treatment, share scientific findings, and jointly cope with epidemic threat. Under the framework of International Health Regulations, the Chinese government is ready to join hands with all countries to support WHO’s role in coordinating global efforts to curb any emerging infectious disease and protect life and health.

　　Thank you!