German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder expressed on Wednesday his firm support to the Chinese government and people in their fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

The German government is concerned about the SARS situation in China, Schroeder said in a condolence message to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Schroeder sincerely hoped that the SARS epidemic in China would be brought under control as soon as possible with the cooperation of other countries and relevant international organizations.

The chancellor vowed that his government would do everything possible to help China prevent, cure and eradicate the SARS disease.

The German government would continue to attach top priority to the existing friendly relations between Germany and China, Schroeder added.

(Xinhua News Agency May 1, 2003)