PLA Daily 2003-05-19

　　Like a hero who shows his mettle in difficult times, China has demonstrated its comprehensive power in the war against SARS. When "the war without smoke" broke out in the spring of 2003, it became a severe challenge to China's economic and scientific research capability and national solidarity.

　　The war against SARS has not ended, but China's comprehensive power has passed the test: The Party and the Chinese government have reacted calmly, society has become more united than ever before and the people have developed a firm belief in and respect for science.

　　A series report focusing on this perspective begins today.

7-billion-yuan funding reflects China's financial power

　　The Chinese central government has earmarked 2 billion yuan for the battle against SARS, and the fund devoted by local governments exceeds 5 billion yuan, of which Beijing and Guangdong Province contributed 0.6 billion respectively.

　　To prevent SARS from spreading to rural areas, the Chinese central government has decided to provide free treatment, hospital beds and food to infected peasants and migrant workers. This policy has shown the irreplaceable role of the central government as the back bone in the face of crisis. So far the central government has allocated 4.3 billion yuan for rural area SARS prevention programme.

　　Great efforts have also been made to do SARS research. Eighty-five medical scientific research projects related to the deadly disease have been launched throughout the country with fund allocated by the central government amounting to 100 million yuan.

　　"This is really daring and resolute, considering the speed of decision-making and the amount of money allocated," said an official from the Chinese Ministry of Finance.

　　With adequate financial resources and great economic achievements made in the 20 years of reform, China's financial departments can rise to the challenge with confidence. The China's revenue reached a record of 5205 billion yuan in the first quarter of 2003, equal to the fiscal revenue of 1994.

　　（May 19, PLA Daily）