XI: PLA MUST PLAY KEY ROLE AGAINST VIRUS

President Xi Jinping is calling on the People's Liberation Army to shoulder its responsibility and continue contributing to the country's uphill battle to control the recent novel coronavirus outbreak and prevent a pandemic.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, instructed the PLA about efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

In the instruction, which was published on Wednesday, Xi commended the military for resolutely carrying out the decision of the CPC Central Committee after the outbreak and promptly launching an epidemic prevention and control mechanism and dispatching elite forces to the front line of the battle against the virus.

The situation remains challenging and complex, and the PLA must keep in mind its purpose and respond to orders, he said.

He noted that the military has been assigned the task of medical treatment at Huoshenshan hospital, an emergency specialty hospital in Wuhan, Hubei province, which is under construction. That assignment indicates a high level of trust from the Party and the Chinese people, Xi said.

It is important for the military to step up its organizing and leadership functions, enable closer coordination with local authorities, adhere to the principles of scientific treatment and ensure self-protection, he said, adding that by doing so in this mission, it will live up to its high standard of trust and honor.

Military hospitals must make all-out efforts to accept and treat patients and research institutions should press ahead with their research and development to contribute to victory against the outbreak, he said.

A meeting, presided over by Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday, underlined the importance of targeted measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus nationwide.

The meeting of the central leading group on coping with the outbreak stressed the need to scale up the country's ability to treat patients in critical condition in cities around Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.

The country's top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, said on Wednesday in a phone call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that China attaches great importance to the safety of all foreigners in the country, including those from the United States, and will maintain close coordination and cooperation to prevent and control illnesses related to the coronavirus.

Despite heightened disease control and prevention efforts, the coronavirus continues to spread, and some areas will see a spike in the number of infected people, a statement released after the meeting said.

Maximum effort and scientific measures to curb the spread of the outbreak are needed, it said.

Epidemic control and prevention efforts in Wuhan and throughout Hubei province must be further bolstered so that medical resources can be better coordinated and refined to treat patients and reduce deaths, the statement said.

It also called for an effective and coordinated epidemic control and prevention mechanism between provincial-level areas.

Research and development of vaccines must be accelerated, and approvals and clinical use of pharmaceuticals that have already proved effective should be expedited, the statement said.

It also urged local authorities to get manufacturers of protective suits, surgical masks, safety goggles, negative pressure ambulances and drugs back in full production as soon as possible. Favorable tax policies and financing will be researched by the authorities, it said.

Some employers should allow staff who traveled away from places of higher risk of infection for the Spring Festival holiday, as well as people with non-critical jobs, to delay their return.

People at higher risk of infection, should stay at home for medical observation or be allowed to work from home, it added.

MEDICS IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH INFECTED TO GET SUBSIDY

The central government will increase funds to subsidize medical employees who have close contact with people infected with the novel coronavirus, providing 300 yuan ($43.25) per person each day, according to a circular jointly released by the Ministry of Finance and the National Health Commission on Thursday.

People eligible for subsidies are those who directly contact with suspected cases of the novel coronavirus, or are at the work on diagnosis, treatment, nursing, nosocomial infection control, case sample collection and pathogen detection, the document explained.

For other employees participating in the virus prevention and control work, the central government will provide 200 yuan for each person per day. Local governments are required to pay the subsidies first, before the central authorities transfer funds to the local financial departments, the notice said.

That is a measure to support medical institutions and workers to contain the spread of infections amid the current coronavirus outbreak in Hubei, it said.

“The financial departments and the health departments at all levels, should implement the subsidy policies as soon as possible,” and ensure the funds for virus prevention and control can be allocated in a timely manner. The treatment and epidemic prevention work should not be delayed because of the shortage of funds, the two ministries urged.

The relevant fiscal expenditures “shall be strictly reviewed in time and reported to the National Health Commission and the Ministry of Finance”, the notice required.

As of 5 pm on Wednesday, central and local governments had allocated 27.3 billion yuan for epidemic prevention and control, the Ministry of Finance reported on Thursday morning.

BEIJING SLAMS WASHINGTON OVER PASSAGE OF TIBET BILL

Beijing slammed Washington on Wednesday over the US House of Representatives passing a bill on Tibet, and it called on the United States to stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying expressed indignation and opposition to the bill, the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019, in an online statement, saying it violated international law and basic rules governing international relations and sent the wrong signal to separatist forces pushing for Tibet independence.

The bill bans new Chinese consulates in US territory until a US consulate is set up in Lhasa, the Tibet autonomous region's capital.

As an amendment to the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, the recently passed bill lays out a road map for sanctions on Chinese officials "interfering" in the succession and reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.

Hua said China urges the US to correct its mistake immediately and do more to help promote bilateral trust and cooperation, rather than the opposite.

She added that China demands that the US objectively view the economic and social development in Tibet and clearly understand the sensitivity of related issues.

Noting that Tibet has been Chinese territory historically, Hua said what happens in the region is purely China's domestic affair and no external interference is tolerable.

Tibet's development in areas such as its economy, society, culture and ecology have made historic progress over the past 60 years, she said, adding that the international community has become more aware of the situation in the region and both understands and supports the country's policies.

The Tibet issue has nothing to do with ethnic groups, religion or human rights, she said, but is a major issue of principle related to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China.

ENTERPRISES GUARANTEE SUPPLY OF KEY ITEMS

In the battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, the Chinese government will spare no effort to ensure supplies of commodities and stabilize prices to meet public expectations and enhance confidence, a government official told a news conference on Wednesday.

Xiao Yaqing, head of the State Administration for Market Regulation, said the government has established an online platform to make sure enterprises guarantee commodity prices and quality during the epidemic prevention and control period.

Through the platform, enterprises promise consumers they will ensure the prices of epidemic prevention supplies and key daily necessities will not rise during the period, quality will not drop, and supply will be continuous.

During the video news conference, the promise was made by Chinese enterprises including Wumart, Alibaba, COFCO, Beijing Capital Agribusiness Group and Yili.

Xiao said enterprises must honor their solemn promises to society through practical actions, and always put responsibility first.

"According to actual market demand, enterprises should speed up the restoration of production capacity, increase order replenishment and integrate online and offline advantages," Xiao said.

"In addition, they should keep logistics and transportation unimpeded, strengthen disinfection of production and business sites and ensure employees' safety is protected in order to guarantee price stability, quality, safety and market supply of daily necessities that are closely related to the public, so that the people are satisfied."

He said public demand for important daily commodities such as epidemic prevention supplies, food and drugs had surged.

China's top economic regulator has taken a series of measures to increase the market supply of vegetables and stabilize prices.

The National Development and Reform Commission has worked with other departments to set up channels for fresh vegetable shipments to Wuhan, Hubei province, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.

Shouguang, in eastern China's Shandong province, donated 350 metric tons of high-quality vegetables to Wuhan on Tuesday and will continue to support Wuhan with a daily supply of 600 tons of vegetables as needed.

As demand for face masks surges in China amid the outbreak, the nation is also ramping up efforts to increase production.

Zhongsen, a company in Wuhan, has restarted the production of masks and hazardous materials suits, with a lot of workers doing overtime to ensure supply.

"With the government's strong support, we will strive to achieve the goal of producing 200,000 masks a day," said Dong Yan, special assistant to Zhongsen's chairman.

Xiao said market supervision departments at all levels should put the people first, focus on price and quality supervision, close wildlife markets and solidly implement measures to prevent and control the epidemic and maintain social stability.

GOVT RECOMMENDS DELAY OF TRAVEL TO CURB VIRUS

The Chinese government has taken a variety of steps to reduce the flow of people to overseas destinations in an effort to curb the spread of a highly contagious pneumonia.

On Tuesday, the National Immigration Administration suspended the issuance of travel permits to Hong Kong and Macao for tourists from the Chinese mainland.

The administration said the move was taken because of the need to prevent and control coronavirus-related pneumonia.

Given that Hong Kong and Macao have adopted some restrictions regarding the entry of mainland residents, the administration suggested that those holding travel permits avoid travel to the two regions if there's no urgent need.

For those with travel permits who don't enter Hong Kong or Macao before the permits expire, the administration will grant new permits identical to the ones now held, the administration said.

Previously the Ministry of Culture and Tourism ordered travel agencies to suspend outbound group tours and do-it-yourself packages that help tourists book flight tickets and hotels.

Tour groups that have already departed can complete the trip as scheduled, but more attention should be paid to the health of travelers, the ministry said.

Also, on Tuesday, the Ministry of Education suggested that students and other academics postpone travel abroad. It said they should arrange their travel schedules in accordance with the epidemic's situation in their region as well as entry control measures implemented in some countries and regions.

It said that if it's not necessary to go immediately, postponing the trip is recommended. If there is a special need, travelers should be familiar with the current rules on entry at their destinations, such as arriving at the port of departure in advance to allow sufficient time for quarantine checks.

People with fevers, coughs or other symptoms of respiratory infection should immediately stop traveling and go to hospital, it said.

HUBEI POLICE: PENALTIES FOR INTENTIONALLY SPREADING DISEASE

Police in Hubei province, the center of the novel coronavirus outbreak, warned on Wednesday that those who intentionally spread the disease could face criminal penalties.

Novel coronavirus patients or suspected carriers who refuse to be quarantined and lead to new infections shall be investigated for criminal liability, the provincial public security department said in an announcement.

Virus carriers who spit at others in public places and deliberately spread the virus will bear criminal consequences, too.

According to the announcement, the move was aimed at maintaining order in medical facilities and aiding efforts to stop the spread of the deadly virus, which has sickened 7,711 and killed 170 on the Chinese mainland as of Wednesday.

Hospitals and other quarantine sites are crucial assets during the outbreak, and no organization or individual, under any circumstances, is allowed to disturb operations there, or to jeopardize the safety of medical professionals, it said.

The department warned against provocative acts and vandalism at such sites, adding that threats and verbal insults against doctors and nurses carry criminal consequences.

Acts including setting up sanctuaries, blocking roads at medical facilities, or impeding authorities from taking measures to control the virus are also punishable by criminal laws, it said.

7,711 CONFIRMED CORONAVIRUS CASES ON CHINESE MAINLAND

The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus rose to 7,711 on the Chinese mainland and the death toll hit 170 as of Wednesday midnight, the National Health Commission said on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, 1,737 new confirmed cases, 38 new deaths and 4,148 new suspected cases were reported, the commission added.

Among the total infections, 1,370 patients have been in serious condition and 124 people had been cured and released from hospitals.

The authorities have traced 88,693 people who have had close contact with the infected patients, and 2,364 of them were freed from medical observation on Wednesday while 81,947 are still under medical observation, according to the commission.

The number of confirmed infections rose to 10 in Hong Kong, seven in Macao and eight in Taiwan, the commission reported.

Hubei province remains the center of the outbreak. It had confirmed 4,586 cases of the novel coronavirus as of Wednesday, the provincial health commission said on Thursday morning.

The number of confirmed cases in Hubei increased by 1,032 and the death toll climbed to 162, a rise of 37, the commission said.

By the end of Wednesday, 90 patients had been cured and released from hospitals, 4,334 were hospitalized with 711 people showing serious symptoms and 277 in critical condition, it said.

In Wuhan, provincial capital of Hubei, 356 new confirmed cases and 37 new deaths were reported on Wednesday, bringing the number of confirmed infections to 2,261 with 129 fatalities in the city.

Fever clinics across the province received 32,309 people on Wednesday, according to the Hubei provincial health commission.