"It is a crucial period in preventing SARS now," the government-backed Shanghai International Exhibition Co Ltd, one of the organizers, said in a statement yesterday. "To ensure the public health, the Shanghai government has decided to close the show on Thursday afternoon."

World Health Organization experts are now in Shanghai, visiting hospitals, health care institutions and scientific research bodies. So far, two SARS cases have been confirmed in the city.

About 400,000 people were expected to visit the seven-day event, which opened on Monday at the New International Expo Center in Pudong and attracted more than 730 companies from 23 countries and regions.

More than 86,000 turned up on the first two days, which were open to industry officials only, organizers said, stressing that no infection had been reported among workers and exhibitors.

Exhibitors have been informed of the government's decision and they have accepted it well, officials said.

Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Liangyu and Mayor Han Zheng met senior executives of global auto giants attending the show on Tuesday, praising their support for the show and reiterating that public health was the government's top priority.

Organizers have been spraying disinfectant in and around the 86,000-square-meter exhibition area, offices and meeting rooms while all windows at the venue are kept open all the time.

(eastday.com April 24, 2003)