(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-29 08:42

BEIJING -- Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Thursday pledged to strengthen cooperation with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in a meeting with visiting OIE director general Bernard Vallat.

"I hope the two sides will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation, to jointly face major animal diseases like bird flu, and promote world animal health and public health safety," Hui told Vallat.

He expressed his appreciation for the OIE's efforts in promoting the resumption of China's legal rights in the OIE, and spoke highly of OIE's important role in the fields of world animal health and food safety.

Vallat said China was an important member of OIE and played a key role in the prevention and control of major global and regional animal diseases.

"China's active participation is of great significance to the OIE's strategic goal of continuously promoting the level of world animal health," said Vallat.

The OIE was ready to strengthen cooperation with China.

Hui also briefed Vallat on China's policies and efforts in animal disease prevention and control.

"China has actively supported and participated in the international cooperation, reported to the international community in time, and provided all assistance it can to neighboring countries," Hui said.

Vallat was invited by China's Ministry of Agriculture. During his stay in Beijing, he attended a seminar on animal disease prevention and control.