Tianjin Mayor Dai Xianglong said Saturday that Tianjin's victory over SARS had been confirmed with the lifting of the World Health Organization (WHO) travel advisory against Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia late Friday.

He said Tianjin would take new measures to prevent the resurgence of severe acute respiratory syndrome. Since the first outbreak of SARS, the municipality had issued 30 regulations relating to SARS prevention and treatment.

Tianjin has set up a public health emergency response system to establish a complete information network, disease prevention and control, and disease treatment system.

Dai Xianglong noted that Tianjin was increasing investment in public health systems for urban and rural areas, and offering free physical check-ups to low-income peasants.

He welcomed the news that the WHO had lifted its travel advisory over Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia.

Up to 10 a.m. June 13, Tianjin had reported no new confirmed SARS cases for 26 consecutive days.

Life in Tianjin has returned to normal, with people returning to shops, restaurants and stadiums.

(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2003)