Editor's Note: The following article is taken from the Chinese-language “The Real Point.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping has declared that the more difficult the control of the novel coronavirus epidemic becomes, the more it is necessary to act in accordance with the law. He has also noted that law-based prevention and control is not only crucial to the fight against the current epidemic, but also helps to build a "firewall" against risks and challenges, providing a stronger guarantee for China's long-term and sustainable social and economic development.
In recent years, China has been strengthening its legislation in the field of medical and health care. In particular, in relation to major outbreaks and emergencies with the potential to cause serious harm, it has promulgated a series of laws and regulations such as the Law on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, Emergency Response Law, and theNational Regulation on the Urgent Handling of Public Health Emergencies. They provide sufficient legal guarantee for the implementation of epidemic prevention and control and emergency handling measures, bringing the country into line with international standards.
It is precisely for this reason that after the outbreak of this epidemic, China carried out prevention and control programs scientifically in accordance with the law. The epidemic has been dealt with in compliance with the law on prophylaxis and treatment of contagious diseases. All 31 provincial regions in the Chinese mainland have taken measures on first-level response to this major public health emergency. The principle of "admitting and giving treatment to every possible suspected and confirmed case” has been fully implemented. Government officials who fail to perform their duties have been removed from office and will be held accountable. All these measures are proof of how the rule of law has been fully reflected in the prevention and control of the epidemic.
China is currently making concerted efforts to gradually achieve results in epidemic prevention and control. At the same time it is seeking to curb problems such as counterfeiting, violent acts against medical staff, price inflation, and lack of supervision in donations. Tackling these problems and challenges in accordance with the law is not only the concrete embodiment of the “overall law-based governance of the country”, but also underpins the basic guarantee that this battle shall be won.
To this end, President Xi Jinping stressed that laws on wildlife protection and animal quarantine and animal epidemic prevention must be strictly enforced, and the public security management and market supervision must be strengthened, including a crackdown on illegal and violent acts against medical personnel and the investigation and punishment of such acts as counterfeiting and selling fakes, and driving up the prices of epidemic prevention supplies and products related to people's livelihoods. He also emphasized the importance of the timely and accurate release of the epidemic information that's required in the law. Taken together, they pave the way for the effective prevention and control of the epidemic, and will also bring about further improvements in national governance capacity.
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