Meng made the remark while meeting with James Maguire, a World Health Organization (WHO) expert on SARS.

Meng said that the medical staff and citizens of Beijing and WHO experts had made concerted efforts to combat the disease since the city's first imported case was reported in early March.

Meng pointed out that Beijing would take a series of measures to reduce the incidence of the disease, to improve the recovery rate and to reduce the mortality rate according to the principle of "early identification, early reporting, early isolation and early treatment."

The central government decided Monday that all data on SARS cases in Beijing will be collected by the Beijing Disease Prevention and Control Center, he said.

The Beijing government will provide special financial support to all hospitals engaging in SARS prevention and treatment, he said, and will also provide free medical services for needy patients.

While the three hospitals designated for SARS patients have sufficient capacity, he said, another 18 alternate hospitals in different districts and counties in Beijing have been selected in the event that there is a necessity.

A 2,500-member medical team on SARS control and prevention was formed a few days ago in Beijing to examine suspected cases and disseminate preventive measures.

Meng said, "We will cooperate earnestly with the international community, and we are confident we can eradicate SARS."

James Maguire said the medical staff's efforts in combating SARS had shown Beijing's strong medical competency and good medical system.

James Maguire said the WHO expert team had witnessed Beijing's medical workers going all out to treat SARS patients and the city taking all measures to control the disease.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2003)