China to join ASEAN at SARS summit

China to join ASEAN at SARS summit

THAILAND: Bangkok said on Wednesday Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao would join Southeast Asian leaders in Bangkok next week to find ways to tackle the SARS virus that has killed more than 200 people and hurt the region's economies.

Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai told reporters leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would gather for a one-day meeting on April 29 in Bangkok, and then hold talks with Wen immediately afterwards.

"China's participation in this summit is very significant because it will show the outside world the close cooperation of the countries in the region to tackle this problem," he said.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has killed about 250 people worldwide and infected more than 4,200 more since it appeared in China late last year. China has more than half of the world's known cases. --Reuters