BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- World Anti-Doping Agency chief Dick Pound made positive comment on China's doping control, which eased much of their pressure, said a Chinese anti-doping official here on Thursday.

Pound was invited to a three-day trip in Beijing to seek more about China's anti-doping measures ahead of the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics and inspect the facilities that will be used during the Games.

He said after the trip that China played a "vanguard" role in fighting against doping in the world. His remarks posed as the great reward to his Chinese colleagues who have been taking pains to get rid of China's tainted reputation for doping since a dozen swimmers were caught using banned substances at the 1994 Asian Games.

"It is such a big relief for us. We have been under pressure all these years (after the incident in 1994). No matter how hard we work, we can not win back their trust," said Wang Xinzhai, an anti-doping official in the State General Administration of Sports(SGAS).

"At last our work was recognized by the top official of the anti-doping field," he added.

A higher Chinese sports official said they took some risk inviting Pound who had openly criticized China for inadequate tests in May this year.

"I have to say that we did take a little risk. What if he still doesn't like our work. You know, the Beijing Olympics is approaching," said Jiang Zhixue, head of science and education department of SGAS.

Jiang's concern, however, turned out to be unnecessary as Pound was satisfied with China's efforts, especially pleased by the government's commitment.

Chinese central government held meetings with a dozen of government departments, including representatives from sports administration and food and drug administration, to discuss coordinated doping control.

SGAS also forged anti-doping agreements with sports bureaus at the provincial level.

In addition, a new and independent anti-doping organization, the Chinese Anti-Doping Center is about to set up, with around 40 staff, in a bid to enhance strength and efficiency in cracking down on use of drugs among athletes.

The number of tests was not a problem to Pound any more as China said they were going to do over 10,000 tests this years.

"The number of tests have been increased by 20% from last year. The profile of the tests come to something like 70% from out-of-competition," said the Canadian, who once said several thousand tests were far from enough in a country with a population of 1.3 billion.

Jiang said they convinced Pound that the number of tests should be compared to the number of athletes instead of the entire population.