■Diplomacy
MOFA to brief diplomats
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is slated to brief Taipei-based diplomats on the latest development in the outbreak and containment of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, in Taiwan today, the ministry said yesterday. Some 40 to 50 ambassadors and representatives in Taipei are scheduled to attend the closed-door briefing at the ministry this afternoon, the ministry said. Some diplomats have expressed their concerns over the SARS outbreak in Taiwan as well as the government's newly adopted measures to contain the flu-like disease, the ministry said. Officials from the Department of Health, Mainland Affairs Council as well as the ministry's Bureau of Counsular Affairs will attend the briefing, a foreign ministry official said. The ministry decided to hold the briefing amid requests from Taipei-based diplomats, the official added.
■ Borders
Lawmaker views threat
A DPP lawmaker yesterday urged increased efforts in the search for illegal Chinese immigrants to cut the risk of spreading severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. "The military strategy of offshore engagement should be applied to preventing and controlling the epidemic," Tsai Chi-fang (蔡啟芳) said. Tsai advised the government to reward coast-guard personnel for carrying out increased checks "for their contribution in keeping illegal immigrants from Taiwan preventing them worsening the SARS situation in the country."
■ Borders
CGA stepping up watch
The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has heightened its vigilance against the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) for fear that cases of the disease will be brought into the country by illegal immigrants from China. The CGA has instructed all branches to heighten surveillance at detention centers for illegal Chinese immigrants, as well as at fishing ports and customs offices. Labeling the anti-SARS efforts as a combative campaign, CGA officials said that from yesterday, all ocean-going vessels will be acquired to fill in health forms upon anchoring at ports and to indicate whether there are any Chinese workers aboard. The coast guard is also stepping up patrols against the Chinese fishing boats that often trespass into ROC territorial waters to poach. It will also tighten surveillance in waters near Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu to curb the importation of illegal goods smuggled from China aboard fishing boats, particularly livestock products, which might serve as viral intermediaries, officials said.
■ Help lines
MAC releases phone list
The Mainland Affairs Council yesterday released a list of emergency numbers for foreign nationals and Chinese nationals to call if they have any SARS-related inquiries or issues. Foreign nationals can call (02) 2343-2881, 2343-2891 or 0933-714-386. Chinese and Taiwanese nationals can call (02) 2397-5589 with extensions 506, 520, 522, 504, 526 and 508. Alternatively, they can call 0936-252-321. Hong Kong residents can call (02) 2397-5589 with extensions 627, 631, 630, 612, 600, 601 and 602. Alternatively, Hong Kong residents can call 0937-944-868.
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