Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Saturday called for solidarity and
concerted efforts in the ongoing battle against severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS).
The premier made the remarks during his inspection tour of Beijing,
which involved a construction site, a supermarket, a residential
zone and Peking
University.
At
the construction site, Wen said all employers of migrant workers in
Beijing should improve SARS control and prevention among their
workers.
The premier said migrant workers should be given regular physical
checks, adding immediate physical checks and medical treatment
should be given at the expense of the employers to those showing
any symptom of the disease.
During his talks with community leaders and residents at a
residential zone in northern Beijing, Wen said community work was
very important and the role of communities should be given full
play in preventing the spread of the disease.
He
called for efforts to spread knowledge about and ways of preventing
SARS, so that every household and resident had the necessary
information on SARS prevention, which would enable them to realize
that SARS was preventable, treatable and controllable.
The premier said it was necessary to attach importance to
prevention and control of the disease, but there was no need for
panic.
At
Peking University, the premier told overseas students and teachers
that the Chinese government was concerned about their health and
would provide all necessary conveniences for their study, work and
prevention of the disease.
During lunchtime, the premier talked with students while dining in
a campus canteen.
Wen told the students China would strive to beat the disease while
continuing the country's reform and opening to the outside world
and modernization.
The premier said China would stride forward at a greater pace after
experiencing the fight against the disease, and the solidarity and
cohesive force of China's various ethnic groups would be
consolidated.
Among those accompanying the premier were Vice-Premier Wu Yi and
State Councilor Chen Zhili.
(Xinhua News Agency, April 26, 2003)