China seems to have beaten the virus. Now for the political fallout WHEN the World Health Organisation's director for the western Pacific, Dr Shigeru Omi, told a news conference in Beijing on June 24th that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, had been brought under control in the city and the capital was again safe for travellers, Chinese journalists broke into applause. It was indeed a moment to celebrate. The clean bill of health lifted …
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…for constitutional amendments, including a new provision inspired by SARS that would enshrine the principle of open government, and an acknowledgment of the supremacy of citizens' rights. The organiser, Cao Siyuan, says he believes the government is very likely to adopt some of the group's suggestions. "Our public servants will give thorough consideration to their masters' opinions," says Mr Cao. China, however, has experienced too many false dawns for his confidence to be widely shared.