The Fight Against SARS

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a disease caused by a coronavirus that broke out in some parts of China in 2003. The origin trace research showed that Foshan City of Guangdong Province had its first SARS case in November 2002. In early February 2003, Guangdong reported a high number of infections, and the virus had spread to Hong Kong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Shanxi and other areas by mid-February. On March 1, Beijing received its first inbound case and after that, the city gradually became one of the areas worst-hit by the disease. The SARS outbreak was a serious public health incident in 21st-century China.

In response to the outbreak, the CPC Central Committee adopted a series of measures, including setting up a unified leading mechanism and a reporting system, and taking resolute actions to contain the virus. On April 21, daily reporting of new and suspected cases began. On April 23, the office in charge of SARS prevention and control started operation under the State Council, to exercise unified leadership and coordinate nationwide efforts. On May 1, the first hospital for treating SARS, rapidly built in Beijing's suburban Xiaotangshan Town, began to receive patients. On June 19, most hospitals in Beijing resumed normal medical service. As SARS had been brought under effective control across China, the WHO lifted its travel advisory against Beijing on June 24 and removed the city from the list of SARS-infected areas. This marked China's victory against the virus on its mainland.

Confronted by this serious public health emergency, the whole country united as one under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. There were many moving stories of people supporting each other against the viral infection. The whole nation displayed an unyielding spirit in winning the battle over SARS.

The victory showed the strength of Chinese socialism, enhanced the Chinese people's confidence and courage in overcoming difficulties, and increased national cohesion. It also boosted international confidence in China and expanded the country's global influence.

戰勝“非典”疫情

非典型肺炎，簡稱“非典”，專業術語稱作“嚴重急性呼吸系統綜合征”，指2003年中國局部地區發生的一類由冠狀病毒引起的肺部感染病癥。溯源調查表明，2002年11月，廣東省佛山市出現第一位“非典”患者。2003年2月初，廣東的“非典”進入發病高發期。2月中旬，“非典”疫情傳至香港、廣西、四川、山西等更多地區。3月1日，北京接收了第一個輸入性“非典”病例，并逐漸成為“非典”的重災區。“非典”疫情，是21世紀中國發生的一次嚴重的突發公共衛生事件。

為抗擊“非典”疫情，中共中央作出一系列重大部署，明確要求建立防疫工作統一領導機制，嚴格疫情報告制度，采取果斷措施防止疫情擴散。4月21日，全國實施每天一次“非典”新增病例與疑似病例的報告與公布制度。4月23日，國務院成立防治非典型肺炎指揮部，統一指揮、協調全國非典型肺炎的防治工作。5月1日，經過緊急籌建的北京市第一家專門治療“非典”的臨時性傳染病醫院小湯山醫院開始接收患者。6月19日，北京市大部分醫院恢復正常醫療秩序。與此同時，全國其他省、市、自治區的“非典”疫情也已得到有效控制。6月24日，世界衛生組織宣布撤銷對北京的旅行警告，同時將北京從“非典”疫區名單中排除。至此，中國內地抗擊“非典”疫情取得了決定性勝利。

面對突如其來的“非典”疫情的嚴峻考驗，在中共中央、國務院的堅強領導下，全國人民奮起抗擊，形成了“萬眾一心、眾志成城，團結互助、和衷共濟，迎難而上、敢于勝利”的抗擊非典精神。這一精神成為鼓舞全黨和全國人民奪取抗擊非典斗爭勝利的強大動力。抗擊“非典”斗爭的勝利，進一步顯示了中國特色社會主義制度的巨大優越性，極大提高了中國人民戰勝困難的勇氣和能力，增強了中華民族的凝聚力，增強了世界各國對中國發展前景的信心，擴大了中國在國際上的影響。