Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Thursday expressed his thanks
to foreign diplomats for their support in China's fight against
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
At
a summer evening party held at Beijing's Diaoyutai State
Guesthouse, Li said, "right now, our national fight against SARS
has achieved a great success. People's lives and production
activities have returned to normal, and the economic growth target
set for the year is well within reach."
He
expressed his thanks to the diplomats, saying the international
community had come to the aid of the Chinese people's fight against
SARS by providing substantial amounts of assistance in the form of
information, materials, funds and technology.
"The warm friendship from people across the world will spur us to
concentrate more attentively on economic development while making
continued efforts to promote world peace ad common development,"
the minister said.
At
the party, Eleih-Elle Etian, head of the foreign diplomatic mission
and Cameroon ambassador to China, congratulated China on its
achievements in the fight against SARS.
"We are also grateful for the Chinese government's efforts to
safeguard the health of foreign diplomats here," he said.
Only a great people can face major challenges and the Chinese
people once again proved their greatness in the face of SARS, he
said.
Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and about 300 foreign
diplomats and their spouses attended the party.
(People's Daily July 18, 2003)
