Deputy Director-General of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wang Xiaolong (left) sits with other officials at the opening ceremony of the "International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza" in a hotel in Beijing January 17, 2006. The international bird flu conference which the World Bank hopes will raise US$1.2 billion opened on Tuesday with delegates warning that there is no time to waste in fighting the virus. (Source: China Daily/Reuters)

China will donate US$10 million to support the global battle against bird flu, Premier Wen Jiabao said yesterday in Beijing at an international conference called to raise funds to combat the disease.

Wen also urged the international community to establish a global cooperation mechanism for joint prevention and control of avian flu.

Nearly 150 people have been infected with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu in six countries, killing more than half its victims.

The spread of the epidemic has not only affected economic and social development, it also poses a threat to regional and global security, Wen said.

The Chinese premier proposed that the international community set up a monitoring and early warning system against epidemic diseases as soon as possible and help all countries develop disease safeguards, while intensifying scientific research into epidemiology and medicine development.

Wen highlighted the role of international organizations, saying the United Nations should fully tap its political strengths to enhance policy coordination, and the World Health Organization should increase technical support to developing countries.

He called on developed nations, international organizations such as the World Bank and transnational companies to make greater financial contributions to the bird flu fight.

China, which has reported 32 bird flu outbreaks including nine human cases since last year, has taken a series of measures against the disease and made progress in fighting it, the premier said.

The measures include emergency rules to deal with the outbreak of serious animal diseases and the establishment of a surveillance and early warning system covering all provinces.

The government is providing free vaccine, compensation for farmers in bird flu-affected areas whose flocks are culled and support for poultry raising, Wen said.

"As a responsible member of the international community, China will continue to actively participate in international cooperation in bird flu prevention and control, share our experience with other countries and help them fight the epidemic," Wen said.

The Beijing conference was co-sponsored by the Chinese government, the European Commission and the World Bank. Nearly 700 delegates representing more than 100 countries and regions and 20 international organizations attended.