Chinese Vice Premier
Wu Yi was
appointed Saturday to serve a concurrent post of Minister of Health
and replace Zhang Wenkang.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress
overwhelmingly passed Wu's appointment with 137 approvals, one
objection and 10 abstentions.
The 64-year-old vice premier has been reputed for her "swift and
resolute" working style when serving as head of the Ministry of
Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation.
Premier Wen Jiabao proposed the replacement to the NPC Standing
Committee.
The appointment of Wu to lead the fight against the widespread of
SARS epidemic "demonstrates the central authorities' resolute
determination to effectively contain the highly contagious disease
that grips the nation," said Han Qide, vice-chairman of the NPC
Standing Committee and a top medical expert.
"Madam Wu's role as Vice Premier and Minister of Health will surely
put her at a better position to coordinate the use of resources
from different departments and regions," Han said.
Wu
has been in China's petroleum industry for 20 years since she was
24, and served as Vice Minister, and later Minister of Foreign
Trade and Economic Cooperation since 1991. After elected State
Councilor in 1998, Wu has led China's trade talks for its entry to
the World Trade Organization and its successful crackdowns on
smuggle and piracy.
She was elected Vice Premier in March this year.
"We are confident that China will win the hard battle against the
epidemic," Wu said Friday in her report to the legislature
detailing the government efforts to contain the disease.
Zhang's resignation was also accepted by a separate vote.
(Xinhua News Agency, April 27, 2003)