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)