He made the remarks during an inspection tour of SARS control operations and economic development in southwest China's Sichuan Province from May 11 to 14.

Hu, who is also the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said maintaining sound and steady economic growth and minimizing the negative impact of SARS were priorities of the government.

He said that though SARS had produced some negative impacts on the economy, sound and stable economic growth should be maintained with many favorable conditions in place.

The president called for the entire nation to unite as one to defeat SARS and in the pursuit of economic development.

Hu said China would remain open to the outside world and continue to work to expand domestic demand while adhering to its proactive fiscal policy.

Hu urged governments at all levels to continue their work on the prevention and control of SARS, assuming full responsibilities for the security of the people.

He said it was important to mobilize all walks of society to tighten the monitoring of SARS and gain the initiative in containing the epidemic.

He added that some special measures will be taken to support industries unduly influenced by the outbreak of SARS.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2003)