No single person has been infected by the bird flu in the Chinese mainland so far, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue Tuesday at a regular press conference.

Zhang refuted a report that there were people infected with the widespread avian influenza in the Chinese mainland, and said the report was "groundless."

Zhang said China was making full efforts to fight against the bird flu, and the international community should enhance cooperation in the campaign.

Zhang expressed her hope that journalists would contribute to an early resolution of the issue, instead of propagating some false and irresponsible information.

Journalists should take a scientific attitude towards the epidemic, and make objective and all-around reports on China's efforts to fight against the disease, she added.

The Chinese government has attached great importance to curbing the outbreak of bird flu in some regions of China, and President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have made instructions on the issue, Zhang said, adding that Premier Wen even personally inspected bird flu-hit regions in central China's provinces of Anhui and Hubei.

China treats the bird flu not only as an issue concerning people's health but also as a challenge to China's economic and social development, and all related departments are working hard to fight the epidemic with the spirit of being responsible for the people.?

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2004)