NEWS
Xi Jinping delivers an important speech
Release date:
2020-03-18
On March 18, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held a meeting to analyze the domestic and international COVID-19 prevention and control situation, as well as the economic landscape. The committee also discussed and outlined key priorities for effectively balancing epidemic control with economic and social development. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech.
Xi Jinping pointed out that, thanks to the concerted efforts of the entire nation and the broad masses of people, China has continued to see an improving epidemic situation, with the orderly resumption of production and daily life steadily gaining momentum and expanding. Positive results have been achieved in simultaneously advancing epidemic prevention and control alongside economic and social development.
At the same time, we are also facing numerous new challenges and issues—particularly the global spread of the pandemic abroad and its adverse impact on the world economy, which pose fresh difficulties for both China’s epidemic response and economic growth.
It is crucial to accurately assess the evolving domestic and international dynamics of epidemic prevention and economic conditions, adjusting our priorities and response strategies in line with these changes. This will ensure that we deliver a decisive victory in the people’s war against the epidemic—a comprehensive, all-out battle aimed at containing the virus—and secure the successful completion of our goals: building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and eradicating poverty.
Xi Jinping emphasized that while fully acknowledging the achievements made in China's epidemic prevention and control efforts, we must remain clearly aware of the complex and severe situation both domestically and internationally. In Hubei Province and Wuhan City, medical treatment, community-based prevention and control, and follow-up tasks still require tremendous effort and determination. Meanwhile, increased population mobility and gatherings in other regions continue to pose risks of a resurgence in cases—especially as the rapid global spread of the virus heightens the threat of imported infections.
We must maintain unwavering vigilance, rigorously implementing all prevention and control measures with meticulous attention to detail. Under no circumstances should we allow the hard-won progress in epidemic containment to reverse.
At the same time, we need to strengthen international cooperation on epidemic prevention and control, working closely with the World Health Organization to enhance global analysis and forecasting of evolving pandemic trends. This includes refining strategies and policy measures to effectively address the risk of imported cases, as well as fostering greater collaboration and exchange with relevant countries on COVID-19 response efforts.
Finally, we must continue providing assistance to the best of our ability, while reinforcing guidance and support for Chinese citizens abroad, ensuring their safety and safeguarding their health and well-being.
The meeting emphasized the need to implement scientific and precise measures for epidemic prevention and control in key regions. Hubei Province and Wuhan City must remain vigilant until the very end, maintain their momentum, and resolutely win the battles to safeguard both Hubei and Wuhan. It is crucial to continue strengthening medical treatment efforts, concentrating severe cases in high-level designated hospitals, while striving to boost recovery rates and minimize mortality. Additionally, community-based prevention measures should be refined further, with a gradual expansion of safe spaces for residents in zero-COVID communities.
Wuhan City should steadily resume work and production, while other regions in Hubei Province should cautiously and orderly lift control measures. Hubei Province must proactively coordinate with relevant provinces to ensure efficient "point-to-point, one-stop" transportation of workers returning to their jobs and facilitating the return home of out-of-province individuals stranded in Hubei. Meanwhile, areas receiving these individuals must assume full local responsibility.
Moreover, it is essential to enhance humanistic care by organizing psychological support services and carefully managing post-epidemic recovery efforts, effectively addressing any emerging social tensions. Finally, special attention must be given to epidemic prevention and control in other key regions like Beijing, where prevention strategies should be optimized, measures rigorously implemented, and tailored approaches adopted to ensure greater precision and effectiveness.
The meeting underscored the need to implement key measures for preventing imported cases, enhancing data sharing, information reporting, and verification mechanisms for inbound travelers. It also emphasized establishing a closed-loop system spanning aviation transport, port quarantine, destination delivery, and community-based prevention efforts. Additionally, the meeting called for improving coordination mechanisms with relevant countries on防控 strategies, strengthening the exchange of防控 and treatment expertise, and fostering collaborative research initiatives.
The meeting noted that, influenced by various domestic and international factors, China’s economy is currently facing mounting downward pressure. Party committees and governments at all levels must heighten their sense of urgency, accelerate the establishment of an economic and social operating order that aligns with epidemic prevention and control measures, and actively and steadily resume work and production in enterprises and public institutions—striving to minimize the losses caused by the outbreak.
Economic and social order restoration should be advanced on a provincial basis. Provinces where all counties and districts are classified as low-risk areas should fully restore normal production and living conditions. Meanwhile, for provinces that still have medium-risk counties or districts (excluding Hubei and Beijing), targeted and precise防控 strategies must be implemented to gradually resume production and daily life while maintaining strict yet flexible controls.
For personnel and goods moving between low-risk regions, essential health certificates should be mutually recognized nationwide, eliminating any additional barriers or restrictions, including the imposition of isolation measures on individuals.
To boost the efficiency of resuming work and production, tailored, targeted policies should be rolled out to address critical needs such as labor supply, access to capital, and raw material availability, effectively removing bottlenecks and reconnecting disrupted links in the supply chain. Additionally, robust legal services must be provided to promptly resolve disputes related to contract fulfillment, corporate debt, and labor-management relations.
The meeting underscored the need to strengthen analysis and assessment of the global economic situation, promptly formulating targeted policy measures. It also emphasized balancing epidemic prevention and control with international trade and economic cooperation—providing convenience for business personnel travel while strictly adhering to防疫 protocols—ensuring the smooth operation of international supply chains, innovating investment promotion and exhibition service models, and safeguarding the normal conduct of all types of economic and trade activities.
The meeting also discussed other matters.
Source: Xinhua News Agency