The General Office of the State Council recently issued an urgent circular, ordering local governments to step up efforts to ensure safety in industrial production, social stability, and prevention of epidemic diseases.

The circular was issued due to the rising number of dangerous chemical leaks, explosions, traffic accidents, and the recent reoccurrence of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in Beijing, the national capital.

In the circular, the General Office of the State Council urged localities to step up efforts in the prevention of SARS and banned any attempts to conceal, delay or give false information about the SARS situation.

Factories involved in dangerous or explosive goods must strictly follow laws and regulations, while greater efforts should be to ensure safety in public places and facilities.

Companies and institutions engaged in the tourism sector should conduct thorough checks on safety measures as the week-long "May Day" holidays approach, according to the circular.

It also urged local governments to maintain market order and social stability and investigate incidents involving illegal manufacturing and selling of sub-quality food products like the recently-exposed cases involving counterfeit infant milk powder that contained little or no nutritious elements.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2004)