China initially targeted LF in the 1950s, because it was one of five diseases draining the country’s agricultural productivity. With commitment and will, China broke the cycle of LF transmission by distributing drugs on a mass scale and fortifying table salt with DEC, an anti-parasitic drug. Before implementation, 330 million people were at risk of infection. As of 1994, China achieved basic elimination of LF. International verification that transmission has been interrupted is on track to occur in 2005. The successful programme proved extremely cost-effective. In one province, China calculated a cost-benefit ratio of 1 to 5.7 (One Yuan spent on filariasis control produced 5.7 Yuan in benefits). Lessons learned in China, and other affected countries, are speeding up the elimination of LF on a global scale.