Profile: Wang Qishan: Rise of a troubleshooter (5)

（Xinhua） 08:27, December 26, 2012

File photo taken on Aug. 30, 2004 shows Wang Qishan (R, front) takes the Olympic flag at the closing ceremony of the Athens Olympic Games. (Xinhua)

Wang was transferred to Beijing in April 2003 to replace Mayor Meng Xuenong at a time when an outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) had claimed more than 100 lives across the country, with many cases in the city.

Once he arrived in Beijing on April 22, Wang went to markets and pharmacies to investigate the problem of vegetable, food and medicine shortages as a result of the epidemic-triggered widespread scare.

The municipal government issued an order the next day, introducing strict screening and quarantine measures to stem contamination channels.

The first executive meeting of the municipal government after Wang took office lasted only 30 minutes. Wang began the meeting with a warning: "Let's take what we say here seriously."