May 15, 2003

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/15/international/asia/15CND-CHINA.html?ei=1&en=82d76357ae3f3324&ex=1054013595&pagewanted=print&position=

China Threatens Execution in Intentional Spreading of SARS

By ERIK ECKHOLM
 

EIJING, May 15 — Adding a stern new chord in its campaign to stop SARS and rebuild international confidence, the Chinese government said today that anyone who intentionally spreads the disease could be liable to punishment ranging from 10 years to execution.

The edict, a judicial interpretation of existing disease laws was announced only days after the government issued new rules holding officials legally accountable for any delays in reporting health emergencies and requiring rapid public disclosure about health threats.

Applying the death penalty to an irresponsible SARS patient may be unlikely, but the government, after concealing the scope of the disease in previous months only to reap worldwide criticism and a spreading epidemic, now seems determined to do all it can to stop it.

Today's count of new cases in the last 24 hours was encouraging, with 52 reported nationwide and only 27 in Beijing. These were the lowest totals since the government on April 20 pledged honest reporting, as the virus was spreading fast in Beijing. But international experts caution that a new surge in cases remains possible.

So far, few cases have appeared in China's rural towns and villages but the danger is great, the deputy minister of agriculture, Liu Jian, said at a press briefing today. Communities around the nation have been mobilized to check the health of all arriving people and the central government is providing hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to poorer counties so they can build safer hospitals and provide free treatment to farmers and migrant workers with suspected cases of SARS, Mr. Liu said.

The propaganda organs of the Communist Party, meanwhile, are going all out to bury the past official inattention to SARS by praising the heroism of the country's doctors and citizens and the brilliant leadership more recently shown by the leaders.

A commentary today on page one of People's Daily, the prime mouthpiece of the party, says that in the battle against the new disease, "the party central leadership with Comrade Hu Jintao as general secretary has profoundly demonstrated its concern for the people, its determination and maturity, its ability to master complex situations and its ability and boldness in dealing with severe challenges."

Many citizens of Beijing have privately expressed disillusionment or anger over the earlier government minimizing of SARS, which hindered control efforts. But today's People's Daily insists: "The people have become more trusting and supportive of the party and government."