Chinese agricultural officials said in Beijing on Nov.21 that all the confirmed bird flu cases on the Chinese mainland have been effectively put under control, but the whole situation remains grim.

    Quarantines imposed on the first three epidemic-hit regions have been removed, said Li Jinxiang, deputy director of the veterinary bureau under the Ministry of Agriculture, when briefing a group of representatives from embassies and agencies of international organizations in Beijing.

    The three regions are Hohhot in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Tianchang City in east China's Anhui Province, and Xiangtan County in central China's Hunan Province.

    Earlier Monday, vice agriculture minister Yin Chengjie said that the whole situation of the country's battle against the bird flu epidemic remains grim.

    China has so far confirmed 21 bird flu outbreaks in nine provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

    The country issued stringent rules meant to control the animal epidemic Sunday, requiring provincial governments to report major animal epidemic cases to the State Council, China's highest governing body, within four hours after learning about them.

    With the new rules, Li said the agriculture bodies will improve the emergency plan for the animal epidemic and strengthen the prevention and control work in the key areas.