PLA Daily 2003-05-16

　　Liao Xilong, director of the General Logistics Department of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), vowed to defeat the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in a written interview with Hong Kong's Phoenix TV a few days ago.

　　The SARS epidemic is a challenge to the Chinese people and to the entire human race, said Liao, but China will achieve victory over SARS in the end.

　　 Liao said the purpose of the PLA is to serve the people wholeheartedly. With　Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Jiang Zemin's approval, the army contributed 1,200 doctors and nurses to assist Beijing in establishing a hospital designated exclusively for treating SARS patients. Currently the medical workers, many of whom holding a master's or a doctorate degree, are fighting SARS with fearless spirit, lofty professional ethics and selfless devotion. The hospital is in very good operation, Liao added.

　　The PLA has also reserved more than 50 military hospitals (some of which have accepted SARS patients), 30,000 medical staff and large quantities of medical equipment for supporting the battle against SARS. Reportedly, some PLA medical workers who were infected by the disease have been cured and returned to their posts. The PLA medical workers are working even harder to ensure the safety of every serviceman and military unit.

　　（May 16, PLA Daily）