The premier made the remarks during his inspection tour to north China's Shanxi Province.

Wen went directly to Shouyang County of the province soon after his arrival Saturday morning.

He first inspected the People's Hospital of the county and a health center at a nearby town. He asked questions about the preparation work for SARS prevention in these two places and chatted with villagers.

Wen told local officials that to prevent SARS from spreading to the rural areas is the urgent priority of governments of all levels at present and free treatment must be provided to SARS patients in rural areas.

The premier visited a residential zone of Taiyuan University of Technology, and was relieved with the community's work on SARS prevention.

During the tour of the Taiyuan Iron and Steel (Group) Co. Ltd., Wen extended regards to the workers and told company leaders that large enterprises should pay special attention to SARS prevention while keeping normal production to promote reform and development of the enterprises.

At the local provincial epidemic control center, the premier expressed his gratitude and greetings to medical workers and their families on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council.

He said the people will never forget the great contributions made by the medical workers in the special fight against SARS.

Though impressed with the province work on SARS control and prevention, Wen said China still faces an arduous task, especially in rural areas since the SARS situation is still very serious.

Wen said that governments at various levels should remain sober-minded that any laches and carelessness at work may lead to big loss on SARS prevention across the country. So the governments should make continuous efforts to fight to the end.

Vice-Premier and Health Minister Wu Yi accompanied Wen in the inspection.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2003)