On May 12th 2003, Mr.Zhu Zushou, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, met with Mrs. drs. Clémence I.J.M. Ross - van Dorp, State Secretary of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Netherlands.  Mr.Zhu briefed Mrs. Ross on Chinese government and people’s ongoing fight against SARS, which has received widespread sympathy and support from the international community, including the Netherlands and the European Union. Mr. Zhu said that, the medical laboratory in Rotterdam is one of the major laboratories in the world designated by World Health Organization to conduct research on SARS.  Some Dutch companies have also contacted China and expressed their will to help China in money or in other ways.  These have encouraged the Chinese people in their fight against SARS.  The Chinese government and people have every confidence and capability to win the fight against SARS and also attach great importance to the cooperation in this regard with the international community, including the Netherlands.

　　Mrs. Ross spoke highly of the efforts of the Chinese government and people against SARS.  She also believed that SARS is a common challenge for the whole international community.  It can only be overcome through joint efforts of the world.  The Dutch government is ready to provide necessary assistance to the Chinese government and people in this fight against SARS, especially through bilateral cooperation in the research of bacterin and medicine against SARS.