Some $50 million will be earmarked for the Mainland to conduct research on SARS.

The money will be drawn from the $500-million fund planned for medical research, which was unveiled on April 23.

Science of SARS: Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa visits the Chinese and Hong Kong Universities to inspect medical researchers' work in unravelling SARS.

Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said it is important to work closely with the Mainland in the research field, as Hong Kong has close ties with the Pearl River Delta and infectious disease can cross the boundary.

Hong Kong is discussing the details with the Central Government.

During his visit to the Hong Kong and Chinese Universities today, Mr Tung also spoke of the dedication and diligence of our medical researchers in their studies on SARS.

He was pleased Hong Kong has such top scientists, saying they are at the forefront of SARS research. They have unravelled the mystery of the coronavirus, and made substantial headway in diagnosis, treatment and vaccine development, he said.

Many of their research articles are published in international medical journals, and this has fully demonstrated international recognition of Hong Kong's efforts in the SARS fight.

He said their studies have laid the foundation for faster disease control in future, and further strengthened Hong Kong's leading position in Asia's medical research field.