Highlights of first 'passage interviews' by national political advisers

China playing key global role in fighting disease: Margaret Chan

Margaret Chan, a national political adviser, is interviewed at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday afternoon. [Photo/Xinhua]

China has played a key role in safeguarding global health and tackling infectious diseases, Margaret Chan, a national political adviser said.

In the age of globalization, infectious diseases are spreading at faster rates due to increasing exchanges, human mobility and global trade, Chan, president of the Boao Global Health Forum and former director-general of the World Health Organization, said.

It is vital to establish emergency response mechanisms, including a set of effective prevention and control measures, to cope with sudden outbreaks of contagious ailments, such as avian influenza, SARS and the Ebola fever, Chen said.