The outbreak of SARS, while adversely affecting
China's economic growth, also has created new development
opportunities. Although the
epidemic has gravely affected tourism, transportation,
catering, hotel and commercial sectors, the consumption of
products closely related to the prevention and treatment of
the disease has increased rapidly, such as medicine, medical
apparatus, sanitation equipment and disinfectants. In
addition, with changes in the public's consumption concept,
such products as motor vehicles, instant food, audio-video
products, books and periodicals have sold well. Bicycles and
bodybuilding equipment are enjoying a ready market, as
people pay more attention to health and physical training.
Related enterprises, closely following the changes in the
market, have timely readjusted their product mix and
industrial structure, thereby maintaining continuous
development.
Affected by SARS,
traditional transaction activities have dwindled, while
online transactions have become increasingly brisk. The
online transaction volume of the Guangzhou Spring
Commodities Fair totaled US$1.2 billion. In April, the
industrial production of Shanghai rose by 15 percent over
the same period of last year. Many enterprises have reported
growth in production and trade via online negotiations.
Online shopping and telephone and mail order have been
accepted by a growing number of consumers. According to
Eachnet, in April, its daily online transactions increased
by 30 percent over that in March.
Many enterprises have seized
this opportunity to introduce new transaction methods such
as e-business, which helps enhance their capacity to cope
with changes in the market and resist risks.
SARS has changed the public's
consumption habit considerably. People now pay greater
importance to the hygiene of food and the sanitation of
catering establishments and hotels. This has prompted
relevant enterprises to improve the quality of their
products and services. After the outbreak of SARS, while
business turned slack at quite a number of Chinese
restaurants, that of foreign-funded fast food restaurants
remained brisk due to their good environment and hygienic
Western style of catering. This induced some Chinese
restaurants to change their operational style by increasing
takeaway service, which enabled them to balance their volume
of business. The battle against SARS is expected to promote
the improvement and development of the service sector as a
whole.
Development opportunities do
exist in the current crisis caused by SARS, and they may
create new modes for economic growth. Seizing opportunities
and taking prompt countermeasures will help advance economic
restructuring, enhance the quality of economic performance
and further promote economic development. Some departments
and enterprises, being aware of this, have acted promptly.
The railway sector, for instance, has increased cargo
transport to offset the decline in passenger transport. The
tourism sector is intensifying training among its employees
in a bid to greet the new tide of tourism with improved
service. As the fight against SARS is heading toward
victory, the consumption market is preparing for a new round
of shopping spree. The Chinese
economy has advanced amidst twists and turns. Nevertheless,
it is bound to accelerate development after the SARS
epidemic is conquered, just as it did after China
successfully overcame the Asian financial crisis and the
catastrophic flooding in 1998.
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