Beijing Deputy Mayor Zhang Mao said at a press conference in Beijing Tuesday that despite the SARS outrage, life is "normal and orderly" in the Chinese capital.
Zhang admitted that when the city was caught unprepared in the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), there was a panic among the masses of the people. But with the government's enhanced efforts in publicizing relevant information, such a panic has gradually been reduced.
"The best way to solve the problem is to show the public the result of the effective prevention and treatment of the disease," he said.
The deputy mayor reaffirmed that Beijing has so far experienced no social unrest.
(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2003)
