Xi sets out major tasks for officials

President Xi Jinping set out eight requirements at a key meeting on Sunday, including taking more targeted tax-cut measures and stabilizing employment, to resume the nation's economic activities in an orderly way.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at the meeting on coordinating the prevention and control of novel coronavirus pneumonia and economic and social development.

Officials from county-level Party and government organizations and above nationwide took part in the high-profile meeting, in the form of a videoconference.

It is inevitable that the disease will largely impact China's economy and society, so it is crucial to boost confidence at this time and judge the country's economic outlook from a long-term perspective, Xi said.

The good outlook of China's economy is not changed from a long-term view, and the disease's impact is temporary and controllable, Xi added.

At the meeting, Xi set the pace for resuming the country's economic activities, with production and social order being fully and quickly restored in low-risk regions, while prevention and control of the disease should remain the top and only focus in high-risk areas.

He required officials to make more targeted policies on tax-reduction and more flexible monetary policies to help small and medium-sized companies overcome their difficulties.

Noting that some companies are short of employees while many migrant workers also have difficulty in returning to their jobs, Xi said that employment should be stabilized with multiple measures.

Xi required officials to make more efforts to strive for the country's poverty-reduction goal, help poorer workers return to their workplaces in an orderly way, and support the resumption of production as soon as possible at major enterprises.

Officials should make more efforts to promote the implementation of major foreign investment projects, expand the opening-up of service sectors including the finance industry, continue to create a better business environment, and boost foreign investors' confidence, Xi said.

He also made some requirements in terms of lifting the restrictions on logistics and transportation, enhancing agricultural production, securing food supplies, and promoting international trade.

Xi pointed out that the disease, which spreads very rapidly, infects a wide range of people and presents great difficulties regarding its prevention and control, is a serious disease unprecedented since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The facts show that the CPC Central Committee's judgment on the situation of the disease is correct and all relevant measures are timely and effective, which has demonstrated the great advantages of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the Party's leadership, Xi said.

The Chinese nation has experienced lots of difficulties and suffering in its history, but it has never been defeated and has become braver and stronger in these great struggles, Xi said.

Party committees and governments at all levels should remain on high alert over the disease and continue to implement all detailed measures until final victory is achieved, Xi said.

He required officials to continue to take strong measures in Hubei province and in Wuhan, prevent the spread of the disease, and raise the hospitalization and recovery rates while lowering the infection and fatality rates.

Xi paid great attention to prevention and control work in Beijing, saying that the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region should make joint efforts and try its best to cut the sources of infection.

China will continue to maintain good contacts with the World Health Organization, share its experiences on disease control with relevant countries, and enhance international cooperation on the research and development of medicines and vaccines, Xi said.

Xi required publicity authorities to improve the releasing of information on the disease and respond to people's concerns in a proactive way.

Criminal activities such as interfering with medical services, disease control efforts, market order and social order should be gravely punished in accordance with the law, Xi said.

He also highlighted the importance of issues such as distributing medical resources, speeding up scientific research to develop medicines and vaccines, and improving the work of the press.

The situation of the disease remains serious and complex, and now is the most critical period for prevention and control work, Xi said, adding that Party committees and governments at all levels should boost confidence, remain alert over the disease, and resume economic production in an orderly way.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi greeted those who are contributing to the fight against the disease, including medical workers and People's Liberation Army commanders and soldiers. He also expressed sympathy for the victims of the disease and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.

Officials from grassroots Party and government organizations deserve more care, Xi said, adding that their problems and difficulties should be addressed in a timely manner.

He also required the officials to learn from the lessons of disease prevention and control to improve their capability to handle public health incidents.