China, France building virus research lab

China and France are building a biosafety laboratory in central China's Wuhan Province for basic research on infectious viruses, including Ebola.

The information was revealed Friday by Sylvie Bermann, French ambassador to China, at a forum on Sino-French cooperation in the health field. It was not immediately clear when the lab will be put into operation.

At the forum, health officials from the two countries discuss topics such as the prevention and control of infectious diseases, the health of the elderly population and hospital management.

"China and France are active in the global action against Ebola and making new cooperations in epidemic control and lab research. We are aiming for a new chapter in jointly coping with global emergencies," said Ma Xiaowei, deputy director of Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission.