Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Wednesday called a meeting of the State Council, China's cabinet, to prepare for the weeklong National Day vacation, which begins on October 1.

It was decided at the meeting that departments concerned and the local governments should focus on security and hygiene problems during the period and inspect transportation infrastructure, recreation grounds and catering stalls, where security accidents easily happen.

The meeting also demanded the early release of travel information and the development of networks for emergency rescue.

The weeklong vacation will be the first since the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was curbed earlier this year.

(People’s Daily September 18, 2003)