The State Council, China's cabinet, held its executive meeting
Wednesday to assess the progress being made in the prevention and
treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and in
economic construction.
The meeting, presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao, stressed that the
major objectives of SARS prevention and treatment are to
consolidate achievements and prevent new infections from occurring,
while at the same time, opportunities should be seized to further
economic development so as to meet the annual employment target
figures.
The participants said that under the leadership of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State
Council, remarkable achievements have been made in the fight
against SARS, including a significant decline in new SARS cases and
restoration of normal economic and social order.
Relevant local governments and departments should continue their
work in SARS prevention and treatment and should continue to
strengthen economic development.
SARS prevention and treatment work should be carried out in
accordance with scientific and legal principles within the
framework of a powerful system.
The meeting pointed out that the current efforts in SARS prevention
and treatment should include: establishing a rapid response
mechanism for public health emergencies, strengthening the
prevention and control of infectious diseases, monitoring SARS
prevention work in venues with concentrated population movement
such as airports and railways, developing scientific programs for
disease prevention and control, and launching patriotic public
hygiene awareness campaigns to help the general public nurture good
hygienic habits.
The meeting proposed that special measures be taken to maintain
economic growth momentum, including the resumption of normal
production and social order; support to industries, small
enterprises and individuals facing difficulties; boosting the
economy through investment and consumption and the implementation
of the policy of opening up to the outside world.
Efforts should also be made to increase exports and to improve the
investment environment. Other measures will include implementing
the "develop-the-west" strategy, reviving old industrial bases in
northeastern China, reforming state-owned enterprises and
developing the private sector.
The meeting also asked relevant local governments and departments
to take measures to maintain social stability. Leaders at various
levels should work actively in this regard.
The meeting discussed and passed regulations aimed at deepening the
reform of rural credit cooperatives and also discussed a draft
management regulation on medical waste.
The meeting decided that, beginning in the second half of 2003,
trial reforms will be intensified in rural credit cooperatives, so
that they become local financial organizations which provide
services to farmers and rural residents, encourage agricultural and
rural economic development, and help rural residents and farmers to
increase their incomes.
After further amendments, the draft management regulation on
medical waste will be promulgated by the State Council.
(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2003)