Piglets are held in pens at a pig farm. [Photo/IC] China has contained the spread of African swine fever, with the number of new outbreaks slowing this year, according to Han Changfu, minister of agriculture and rural affairs. Since the highly contagious disease was first detected in August in Liaoning province, 119 cases affecting domestic pigs and three involving wild boars have been confirmed in 30 provincial-level regions, he said at the International Symposium on Prevention and Control of African Swine Fever held in Beijing this week. As of Tuesday, quarantines had been lifted in 108 disease-stricken areas, he said, adding that the number of new cases in each of the first three months of this year was held to single digits, signifying a slowdown. Han added that domestic live hog production and pork supplies are generally stable. Monique Eloit, director-general of the World Health Organization for Animal Health, said she appreciated China's efforts in combating African swine fever, as the massive scale of hog production in the country and the dispersed breeding farms pose great difficulties. She also encouraged the ministry to share its experience, tools and measures with other countries to enhance their capability to fight the disease. Bukar Tijani, assistant director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, said it's both surprising and encouraging to see the number of new outbreaks drop in China. He said the situation could have been much worse because China is responsible for more than half of global pork consumption, and more than half of the world's small pig farms are located there. Han said the ministry will continue to enhance international cooperation mechanisms, establish stronger early warning and rapid response systems and step up research on vaccines. Vice-minister Yu Kangzhen added that the ministry will soon formulate a plan to divide the country's hog industry into several zones to better coordinate efforts in containing infections, regulating cross-regional transport and guaranteeing the pork supply, China National Radio reported. Hainan, the southernmost province, will set up the country's first zone free of African swine fever, Yu said. The disease, which is deadly to pigs but not harmful to people, was discovered in Kenya in 1921 and has since spread to 64 countries and regions. Last year saw a surge in infections worldwide, with 25 countries and regions reporting more than 6,500 new outbreaks. There is no effective vaccine. cheap silicone wristbands for fundraisingcustomize silicone wristbandsembossed-wristbandsilicone-wristbandspurple silicone bracelets
Vice-Premier Wang Yang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, speaks at an annual meeting of central and local officials in charge of Taiwan affairs, in Beijing. The meeting was held here from Thursday to Friday. [Photo/Xinhua] BEIJING - A senior Chinese official stressed that studying and implementing the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thought on Taiwan affairs will be a primary political task at present and for years to come. Vice Premier Wang Yang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at an annual meeting of central and local officials in charge of Taiwan affairs, which was held in Beijing from Thursday to Friday. The thought on Taiwan affairs is an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and serves as a basic principle and guide to action for the work on Taiwan affairs in the new era, Wang said. He urged efforts to uphold Xi thought on Taiwan affairs for the long term and make new accomplishments in the new era. The work on Taiwan affairs has withstood major tests and witnessed important progress while ensuring stability, Wang said. He also stressed improving economic and cultural cooperation and deepening the integration of economic and social development across the Taiwan Strait. While noting situation across the Strait at present becomes more complicated and grim, and will remain so for some time to come, Wang said the work on Taiwan affairs face challenges. The Chinese mainland will uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus and resolutely oppose and deter separatist elements advocating 'Taiwan independence' in any form, he said. More policies will be adopted to help Taiwanese compatriots in studying, starting businesses, working and living in the mainland and to help them enjoy the same treatment as local people. We should remain true to our original aspiration, keep our mission firmly in mind, and fully implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, Wang said. He called for promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and making new contribution to advancing the process toward the peaceful reunification of China. Wang stressed the importance of upholding centralized and unified leadership of the CPC in handling Taiwan-related affairs, exercising strict Party governance, improving conduct and building integrity in building a high-quality workforce responsible for Taiwan-related affairs. The meeting was presided over by State Councilor Yang Jiechi. Zhang Zhijun, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, delivered a work report at the meeting. ptsd silicone braceletstroke awareness silicone braceletpersonalized his and her braceletscustom photo braceletcustom made silicone wristbands<%2fcenter>
