On March 10th, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (CPC), president of the People’s Republic of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the prevention and control of the COVID-19 in Wuhan city, Hubei province. He stressed that Hubei and Wuhan remain the first priority and decisive place in the fight against the epidemic. Thanks to hard work, the situation in Hubei and Wuhan has show positive changes with important progress, but the task of prevention and control is still arduous. The prevention and control of the coronavirus outbreak remains the top priority and most important task, even amid the recent positive signs. Firm, solid and meticulous prevention and control efforts must be stepped up to defend Hubei and Wuhan.
Xi Jinping noted that there emerged numerous role models and touching stories in this tough fight. The Party organizations at various levels, all Party members and officials in Hubei took the lead and fought heroically; medical workers across Hubei armed to teeth to embark on a reverse expedition; soldiers and commanders of the People’s Liberation Army assume the tough mission by strictly enforcing orders; community workers, police, grassroots officials and volunteers are still working at the front line without fear for winds and rains; personnel from all walks of life take an active part in fighting against the epidemic with concerted efforts.
Xi Jinping stressed that the people of Wuhan are voluntary to serve the overall picture and show no fear for difficulties with unyielding spirit. They devoted themselves to the fight against the epidemic with great contributions as the world has seen their tenacity and noble spirit in this tough fight. The positive trend in epidemic control could not have been achieved without their sacrifice, devotion, perseverance and efforts. With their concrete actions, the people of Wuhan have demonstrated the strength and spirit of China, as well as the Chinese people’s love for their family and nation, which enables them to stick together through thick and thin. Wuhan is by no means a heroic city and its people are heroic people. They will be remembered in history for the final victory against the disease and the whole Party and nation are deeply moved by Wuhan people. The Party and people are grateful for the people of Wuhan.
On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi extended sincere greetings to all Party members, cadres and people in Hubei province and its capital city of Wuhan. He expressed his regards to medical workers, People’s Liberation Army commanders and solders, community workers, police officers, officials, volunteers and people of all fields who have been fighting the epidemic at the front line. He also sent condolences to patients who combating the disease and their relatives, families of those who died of the disease and those who died on duty, as well as people who died in the epidemic and people who sacrificed their lives fighting on the front line.
Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the inspection.
Xi Jinping paid great attention to the prevention and control work in Hubei and Wuhan, and he went straight by bus to Huoshenshan Hospital immediately after his arrival in Wuhan accompanied by Sun Chunlan, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, vice premier and head of the Central Leading Group on COVID-19, Ying Yong, Party chief of Hubei, and Wang Zhonglin, standing member of Hubei Provincial Party Committee and secretary of Wuhan Municipal Committee of the CPC.
In Huoshenshan Hospital, he learned about the hospital’s operations, treatment of patients, protection for medical workers and scientific research. Xi said that all medical workers including military medical workers remained tough and brave to resolutely embark on an expedition to Hubei since the outbreak of the epidemic. They devote themselves to the prevention and control of the epidemic. The military medical workers have remained faithful to the PLA’s mission, answered the call rapidly and fought bravely against the disease. They are “the most beautiful angles” and “messengers of light and hope”.
Xi had a video call with doctors and asked about their work and medical supplies. He stressed that the front-line staff are hardworking with unimaginable pressure both physically and mentally. They are the most lovely people in the new era. He urged the relevant authorities to guarantee the supply of protective materials and daily necessities, implement payment and subsidy policies, and take measures to protect medical worker’s interests as soon as possible.
Xi also talked with patients under treatment through a video link to learn about their conditions and treatment. He felt relived after knowing their recovery trend. Xi noted that from the very beginning of the outbreak, the CPC Central Committee has made clear that people’s lives and health must be top priority. All prevention and control measures taken by the CPC Central Committe against the virus are to prevent more people from being infected and save more patients. The people across the country are caring for you. Xi also expressed his wishes for their quick recovery.
At the square outside the hospital, Xi Jinping met with representatives of medical workers. 。
Xi noted that medical workers, who , have demonstrated and image of medical workers in the new era, China and the rest of the world.
Xi said that the spread of the virus has been basically curbed in Hubei and Wuhan, attributed the achievement to efforts of the whole Party, the whole country and the whole society. The Central Committee will continue to step up great support to Hubei and Wuhan in fighting the contagion by offering medical supplies and remov ethe The CPC Central Committee and people across the nation will be with you as you strong. As it is in a critical moment,
The health of medical staff is an important guarantee for wining the battle against the contagion. Many comrades are hardworking and tired as they have worked here for more than a month. It is hoped that they could have a good rest, get adequate nutrition and take good care of their bodies. Relevant departments should improve their living conditions, put in place various proactive measures, and enhance work shift to ensure their health and safety.
Leaving Huoshenshan Hospital, Xi came to the Donghu Xincheng residential community to learn about the community’s efforts in epidemic prevention and control and ensuring supplies of daily necessities. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, there have been 32 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus pneumonia within the community. After the implementation of isolated management, the community has reported no new infections for more than half of a month. People quarantined at home waved to Xi from their balconies and windows. Xi waved back and expressed his regards.
At the community center of life supplies, Xi inquired about purchasing and supply of people’s daily necessities including rice, flour, grain, edible oil as well as fresh vegetables and fruits, underlining great efforts to secure people’s basic life. After inspecting the performance of community police office, health service center and property center, Xi came to the service center for the Party and people to learn about the community’s work on networked management, joint prevention and control and mass participation in prevention and control. Xi praised their work.
At the community service center for the Party and people, Xi talked with community workers, grassroots policemen, doctors of the health service center, officials and volunteers.
He stressed the importance of communities in epidemic prevention and control. Comrades involved in the community prevention and work are hardworking. They worked day and night to serve the people and contribute to curbing the spread of the contagion and safeguarding people’s life.
There are two battlegrounds in fighting against the epidemic, one for healing the wounded and rescuing the dying at the hospital, and the other for prevention and control at the community. The community holds the key to the fight against the epidemic.
Grassroots Party organizations and Party members should play their key role in containing the virus spread in communities. Besides, it is urged to closely rely on the people to win the war against the epidemic.
After the inspection, Xi chaired a meeting to learn about the work of the Central Leading Group, the Hubei Provincial Committee of the CPC and the Hubei’s government on the prevention and control of the epidemic.
After the report, Xi delivered an important speech. Xi said since the outbreak of the epidemic, the CPC Central Committee has taken the most comprehensive, rigorous and through prevention and control measures to resolutely curb the spread of the virus. The PLA, Central Committee, ministries and provinces assisted Wuhan promptly to declare the people’s war against the epidemic. Through arduous work, the initial success has been achieved in stabling the situation and turning the tide. Currently, the prevention and control work remain tough. Therefore, Party committees, all Party members and officials at various levels should stay true to our original aspiration, keep the founding mission in mind, assume the responsibility and withstand the test to take more rigorous and concrete measures to implement the decisions and deployment of the Party Central Committee.
Xi said medical treatment should be given the top priority to improve the recovery rate and reduce mortality to the greatest extent under the principle of scientific and targeted treatment. It is urged to put in place “four concerted” measures to save patients by pooling strengths in medical resources and technology, apply effective drugs and improve the treatment. It is also necessary to strengthen production, supply and dispatch of medical and proactive goods and do a better job for recovered patients. Besides, efforts should be made to coordinate medical strength and medical resources, as well as proceed to a normal medical order with other patient’s daily needs for treatment into account.
Xi Jinping stressed that the “prevention” holds the key to wining the epidemic battle. The fight against the virus is at a critical moment. The government should rely on the people, motivate the people and promote their ability to protect themselves. Further efforts should be made to prevent the spread and exportation of cases. Meanwhile, it is urged to do a better job in health management, and carry out prevention and control measures to send Hubei’s workers to their posts and people grounded in Hubei to their hometowns.
Xi called for support for less developed regions lacking decent medical resources by giving full play to the role of high-level expert team, exploring effective measures, such as itinerant treatment and remote diagnosis, and introducing fine medical resources to the grassroots. It is urged to improve medical and health conditions in rural areas and offer rural medical workers and grassroots officials necessary containment training and supply. People must be mobilized to launch an campaign over environment and health, and they are also guided to cultivate healthy habits and lifestyle.
Xi demanded more understanding and tolerance for people in Hubei and Wuhan if some vent their feelings for long time under self-quarantine, as well as efforts to ensure the supply of their life necessities. The elderly, children, poor families and disabled people deserve special attention, and their needs should be met in a timely manner. It is essential to strengthen psychological counseling and intervention, especially for patients and their families as well as families of the decreased patients. The public opinion is guided to boost confidence, warm people’s hearts and unite them. We should carry out the prevention and control work in a law-based manner, enhance social management, properly tackle various problems in epidemic control and safeguard social stability.
The disease is going to have an impact on Hubei’s socioeconomic development in the short run, but it will not affect the good economic foundation in the long run. It is required to implement the differentiated epidemic control measures to restore work and production in accordance with local conditions and risk levels on the condition that adequate epidemic prevention measures are put in place. We should also implement a series of supporting policies rolled out by the nation to assist business, stabilizing employment and creating more jobs, as well as to coordinate the spring farming with the employment and incomes of the rural labor force, and fight poverty. The central Party and State institutions should step up more support to Hubei so as to resolve real difficulties and problems in ensuring Hubei’s return to the track of normal development.
Xi emphasized that the disease is a big test for the country’s governance system and capacity, which has brought both experience and lessons. It is urged to fix the shortcomings and weak links as soon as possible so as to safeguard the security of people’s life and physical health. Great efforts should be stepped up to complete the system for governance at urban and rural areas, and to implement all-out management and seek for a new path for metropolitan cities in modern governance.
Xi noted that the Party was born amid internal turmoil and external threats, grew in ordeals and setbacks and expanded when overcoming difficulties and obstacles. It is distinctive part of our Party’s political character and advantage to fight for victory. Party organizations, members and officials at various levels should stay true to their original aspiration and keep the founding mission in mind to shoulder responsibilities, adopt scientific and sound prevention and control measures, as well as improve their capabilities in the test. It is urged to avoid formalism and bureaucracy. Grassroots officials are inspired to devote themselves to the front line of the prevention and control of the epidemic. All Party members and officials are mobilized to fight heroically and put in place their aspiration and mission with satisfying results in this big test.
The meeting was held via television and phone calls with parallel venues in 13 cities and 4 counties across Hubei. Cadres from local Party committees and governments, other relevant departments as well as heads of medical teams across the nation attended the meeting.
Ding Xuexiang, Zhang Youxia and cadres from other relevant military departments also attended the inspection.