Delegates attend a China-Asean special session on the prevention and treatment of bird flu opened in Beijing on March 2, 2004. Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, also director of China's anti-bird flu headquarters, was present at the meeting. The epidemic has been plaguing many east and southeast Asian countries and has led to the deaths of more than 20 people in Viet Nam and Thailand. [newsphoto]
Hui Liangyu (center) shakes hand with Dr Suwit Khunkitti, deputy prime minister of Thailand while Du Qinglin, China's agriculture minister, looks on.