Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) meeting on March 4, to 'study the current epidemic prevention and control work and economic and social stability'. Addressing the meeting, he pointed to the overall improvement of the epidemic situation across China and the accelerated resumption of economic activities. At the same time, Xi Jinping reminded those attending of the “complexity” of the current epidemic prevention and control and economic and social developments situations. He urged for deepening international cooperation and giving full play to China’s role as a “responsible great power.” The meeting specifically pointed out that prevention and control efforts must persist in Wuhan, Hubei, and Beijing region and emphasised the importance of increasing scientific efforts to develop treatments and vaccines. The meeting stressed the imperative to minimise economic losses caused by the epidemic. It also stressed that China must assist companies, stabilise employment, and facilitate the hiring of key groups such as college graduates and migrant workers. The adoption of various “point-to-point” transportation methods should continue to allow employees to return to work as soon as possible. Additionally, China will push for the construction of major projects including 5G and increase investments in public health services and emergency supplies production. The meeting urged stabilising foreign trade and investment and facilitating foreign-invested companies in China to resume work. At the end, the meeting emphasised the importance of grasping Spring agricultural production, stabilising prices of agricultural products, and increasing poverty alleviation efforts.
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