Sun postpones China show amid SARS fears

Amidst growing fears of a flu-like disease, called SARS [severe acute respiratory syndrome], that is sweeping through parts of Asia, Sun has postponed its SunNetwork 2003 conference, originally scheduled to be held in Shanghai next week, citing health concerns.

"In view of the fact that many international organizations have issued health and safety advisories, the SunNetwork 2003 conference originally scheduled to be held on April 8-9 has been postponed," Sun said in a statement posted on its Chinese Web site.

More than 4,000 people and 250 partner companies had registered to attend the SunNetwork conference in Shanghai, according to Sun. No date was given for when the conference might be rescheduled.

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Amidst growing fears of a flu-like disease, called SARS [severe acute respiratory syndrome], that is sweeping through parts of Asia, Sun has postponed its SunNetwork 2003 conference, originally scheduled to be held in Shanghai next week, citing health concerns.

"In view of the fact that many international organizations have issued health and safety advisories, the SunNetwork 2003 conference originally scheduled to be held on April 8-9 has been postponed," Sun said in a statement posted on its Chinese Web site.

More than 4,000 people and 250 partner companies had registered to attend the SunNetwork conference in Shanghai, according to Sun. No date was given for when the conference might be rescheduled.

Concerns over the rapid spread of SARS have prompted warnings about travel to parts of Asia. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised that people planning to travel to China, Hong Kong, Singapore; and Vietnam postpone their trips until further notice.

By March 31, 1,622 cases of SARS, with 58 deaths, had been reported in 13 countries, according to the World Health Organization. The greatest increase in new cases over the past week had occurred in Hong Kong, it said.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.