The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) on Monday called for more strenuous efforts to maintain fast economic growth and improve the public health sector in the country.

The call was made at a meeting of the Political Bureau, which was presided over by General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jintao.

During the meeting, it was reported that China had exceeded expectations in terms of economic performance in the first half of the year, despite the negative impact of the war in Iraq and SARS in parts of the country.

However, rational policies must be maintained and more efficient measures taken as the country continues to experience problems that hinder economic and social development, including the delayed effect of SARS on the economy and the difficulties faced by farmers in increasing their incomes, the meeting noted.

Priority should be given to adjusting the economic structure, improving economic efficiency, creating more job opportunities and increasing farmers' incomes, said the meeting.

Efforts will also have to be taken to expand economic cooperation and technological exchanges with foreign countries, while deepening economic reforms in the country.

The outbreak of SARS in parts of the country is an indication of weaknesses in the country's public health sector, the meeting noted.

The meeting urged CPC committees and governments at all levels to attach great importance to the prevention of SARS to avoid future outbreaks.

The meeting also called for more government spending on the public health sector, the improvement of public health work in rural areas and an improved capacity to deal with the epidemic in a comprehensive manner.

(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2003)