China has been attracting much attention in the international community of late for both positive and negative reasons. On the positive side, as the confrontation between the United States and North Korea intensifies, and the positions of Japan and South Korea remain delicate, China is playing the role of mediator in the conflict.
On the negative side, China, which has over one billion people, has had the highest number of severe acute respiratory syndrome patients, highlighting its low living and sanitary standards. Attention has also focused on Beijing's tardiness in responding to the outbreak.
At the same time, however, the new political lineup under President Hu Jintao has been earnestly adopting countermeasures and appears to be limiting the spread of the disease. Indeed, there is the possibility that the outbreak of SARS will give the new administration in Beijing a good opportunity to show its mettle.