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Beijing, Shanghai And Shenzhen Social Life Back to Normal...HK Economist: Nine Percent Growth Tipped for Mainland...Health Ministry Calls on Hospitals to get Back to Normal...Chinese Mainland Reports Zero Confirmed SARS Cases... 
 
Social life in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen has gradually returned to normal as the SARS epidemic is effectively controlled.

The first Western Food Cultural Holiday has started in Beijing. And more than 300 western-style restaurants have been participating in the gala to promote western food culture.

While the SARS wanes, Shanghai touring industry starts reviving. Local tourist sectors have launched eight series of tour packages to attract more tourists both at home and abroad.

In south China's Shenzhen city, all kinds of exhibitions have been resumed after strict hygiene and preventative measures were taken.******

A top Hong Kong economist predicts the Chinese mainland's economy will grow 9 per cent or more this year regardless of the impact of the SARS outbreak.

Professor Thomas Chan, head of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University's China Business Centre, says China's gross domestic product grew by nearly 10 percent during the first quarter of this year and nearly 9 percent in April.

He says although the catering and tourism sectors were hard hit by SARS, they only account for about 7 per cent of the economy. In contrast, industrial output and export growth, the main engines for the economy, remain strong.

The economist believes annual GDP growth on the Chinese mainland will be far above the 7 percent growth rate targeted by the Central Government for the year.******

The Health Ministry has called on hospitals to get back to normal as soon as possible.

It requires local health authorities to adjust the number of designated SARS hospitals in line with the need, and remove unnecessary quarantine rooms.

The changes must be made public.

To avoid possible cross-infection, the ministry also asks former designated hospitals to continue to monitor the health of medical staff who have treated SARS patients.******

The Chinese mainland reports another day of no new confirmed SARS cases during the 24 hours ending Monday morning.

One death from the disease and one more suspected case both occurred in Guangdong province.

This is the sixth day in a row that Beijing has reported zero confirmed SARS cases, and Shanghai, for 15 days.

There are currently 559 suspected SARS cases throughout the country, and less than 800 patients are still receiving treatment in hospital.