According to the meeting, China continues to face big challenges in the battle against SARS, and the impact of the epidemic on the national economy is looming large, increasing burdens on economic development efforts.

The meeting called for efforts to prevent and control SARS at one hand and to stress the central work of economic construction on the other, in order to maintain steady economic growth and minimize the losses caused by the highly contagious disease.

Regarding economic development, the meeting highlighted several measures, including ensuring that spring planting and summer harvests are carried out to stabilize agricultural production, increasing investment and fostering new consumer trends and growth forces.

The meeting also urged efforts to increase exports and attract more overseas investment, while adopting preferential policies for civil aviation, tourism, catering, commerce and other sectors heavily hit by SARS.

Governments at all levels are required to work hard to increase revenue and cut spending, do a good job in improving employment and social security, and maintain production and social order.

After hearing a draft on rules and regulations related to public health emergencies, the meeting decided that the draft needs to be further be amended before being issued.

Meanwhile, 70 percent of meat and vegetable stalls have resumed business in Beijing.

The prices of rice, wheat flour, foodstuffs, cooking oil, salt, dairy products, vege-tables, meat, eggs, toilet paper, laundry detergent and liquid disinfectant remained stable, according to survey yesterday on 40 markets and super-markets in the capital city.

At the same time, 20 stores and supermarkets reported they run short of disinfectant and protection articles, including gloves, gauze masks.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2003)