PLA Daily 2003-05-2１

　　The army should continue to boost its army building and military changes as it fights the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), said the PLA Daily in a commentary on Wednesday.

　　Since the outbreak of SARS, the fight against this killer disease has been a stern test for a nation engaged in building a well-off society in an all-round way, said the commentary. From the very beginning, the army stood together with the people in the "war without smoke" and swiftly took action to send best-trained doctors and nurses to fight SARS. The commentary lauded military medical workers for their selfless contributions and humanitarian spirits they have displayed in the fight against SARS.

　 　　Now that the SARS epidemic cases have dropped significantly throughout the country, but the army must not drop its vigilance, the commentary said.

　　The Chinese army is an armed group committed to revolutionary political goals, continued the commentary, therefore it should take army building as its overriding task and try its best to improve the fighting power at any time.

　　Finally the commentary called on cadres and Party committees at all levels to have a better understanding of the current situation, and continue to do a good job of SARS prevention, at the same time, continue to intensify military training and boost the military changes.

　　(May 21, PLA Daily)