The critical issue of atypical pneumonia was discussed Wednesday at a meeting of China's State Council, which concluded that the epidemic has been brought under control in the country.

The Ministry of Health delivered a report at the meeting, which was presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao and attended by members of the Executive Meeting of the Chinese cabinet.

The participants concluded that top priority must be given to the prevention of the spread of the epidemic, timely reports on the issue should be handed over to the World Health Organization (WHO), effective cooperation with the WHO should be maintained and a national emergency mechanism should be established.

The meeting also deliberated and basically adopted, among others, "the Main Points of the State Council's Work for 2003," a regulation on the personnel of the newly-founded regulatory commission for the banking industry and the draft "Provisions on Traditional Chinese Medicine."

(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2003)