BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese government attached the greatest importance to safeguarding people's health and other democratic rights, said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Saturday at a press conference of the ongoing session of the TenthNational People's Congress.

    According to the minister, top Chinese leaders and officials from governments at various levels always stood in the most dangerous areas in last year's anti-SARS campaign and made arduousendeavor to help the people.

    China's life expectancy has increased from the average 35 yearsold in 1949 to last year's 71, a big improvement, said Li.

    At present, the Chinese people are enjoying unprecedented educational and democratic rights, which can not be separated fromlegislation and judicial work. The minister quoted a short poem offormer Chinese Foreign Minister and Marshal Chen Yi to demonstrateChinese leadership's unswerving concern on interests of the people.

    "The conception that China is weak in terms of human rights isa big mistake," said the minister, adding that those indifferent to the world's poorest people "have a cold heart". Enditem