China was still facing hard times in the battle against SARS, Huang said during his visit to Chongqing Municipality, the largest city in China.

He called for governments at all levels to control the disease in the SARS-hit areas and prevent the disease spreading to the areas that were so far unaffected.

Chongqing, with a huge rural population, should pay more attention to preventing SARS in the countryside by improving the management of the migrant population and rural residents that work in cities, Huang said.

The country would seize the opportunity to improve disease control mechanisms in both urban and rural areas, he added.

The economy had been affected by SARS, but the country would try to maintain economic growth, while continuing to fight the disease, in a bid to minimize losses, Huang said.

State-owned enterprises were encouraged to promote internal reform and increase profits, he said.

The government would continue creating job opportunities for laid-off workers and helping them start their own businesses, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2003)