¡¡¡¡BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhuanet) -- A State Council executive meeting, presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao Wednesday, discussed measures proposed by the State Development and Reform Commission to maintain national economic development in the midst of the on-going fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

¡¡¡¡According to the meeting, China continues to face big challenges in the battle against SARS, and the impact of the epidemic on the national economy is looming large, increasing burdens on the economic development efforts.

¡¡¡¡The meeting called for efforts to prevent and control SARS at one hand and to stress the central work of economic construction on the other, in order to maintain steady economic growth and minimize the losses generated by the highly contagious disease.

¡¡¡¡Regarding economic development, the meeting highlighted severalmeasures, including ensuring that spring planting and summer harvests are carried out to stabilize agricultural production, increasing investment and fostering new consumer trends and economic growth forces.

¡¡¡¡The meeting also urged efforts to increase exports and attract more overseas investment, while adopting preferential policies forcivil aviation, tourism, catering, commerce and other sectors heavily hit by SARS.

¡¡¡¡Governments at all levels are required to work hard to increaserevenue and cut spending, do a good job in improving employment and social security, and maintain sound production and social order.

¡¡¡¡After deliberating a draft on rules and regulations related to public health emergencies, the meeting decided that the draft willbe amended before being issued. Enditem