World Anti-Doping Agency president Richard M. Pound said Monday that his visit to China was the most important one since he took office at the organization.

"It is for two reasons. First, China is the host country for the most important sports event in the world today, and second, as a world leader, China should take the responsibility to fight against doping in sports," said Pound, who is on a three-day official visit to China.

"It is in less than two years for China to host the Games. Now is the time for all the countries including China to make sure their work could eradicate doping in sport."

Pound is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and among the early supporters to the Olympic bid by China.

Despite the criticism from some of his western colleagues, Pound voted for Beijing in its bid for the 2000 Games. He also voted for Beijing's 2008 bid.

"China, along with many other countries, is also identified as a source to provide enhancing substance. Much of my purpose here in China is to encourage sports authorities and the government to cooperate and increase their efforts to fight against doping.

In August, the State Administration of Sport, China's sports governing body, announced that a Northeastern Chinese sports school has been discovered collectively to use performance-enhancing drugs in a doping raid.

"The doping problem is an international issue, and it requires international solutions. There is no sport, no country in the world that could be immune for doping."

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2006)