May 8, 2006

Vietnam attributes success in bird flu prevention to Chinese vaccines
 

Although Vietnam received praise from the regional grouping for its success over the fight against bird flu, China played a significant role in achieving that success, noted Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat on Friday (May 5).

The minister was speaking at a bilateral bid flu meeting at APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) held in Vietnam's Da Nang city.

China supplied Vietnam with vaccines last year at a time when Chinese poultry farms were in need of the vaccines themselves, Phat said, noting that the Chinese government even spent RMB 1.5 million (US$187,200) to deliver vaccines to Vietnam by air freight.

Vietnam would welcome China's continued support in the fight against bird flu, Phat said.

The minister added Vietnam would like to strengthen ties with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and gain China's assistance in battling bird flu by supplying poultry vaccines and training, the minister said.

Vietnam also hopes to step up coordination and cooperation with China in all other agriculture fields, including manpower training, experience sharing, delegation exchange and technical research, the minister said.

Chinese officials proposed that the two countries could cooperate in areas such as bird flu, cattle diseases such as the foot-and-mouth disease,training in the scientific fields and the sale of farm produces and agricultural machines.