Premier Pledges Continued Anti-smuggling Efforts ����Premier Zhu Rongji cautioned customs and anti-smuggling forces against complacency and said that it is a protracted and arduous task that allows no slackening off in vigilance. ����Talking to customs officers in the city of Xiamen in southeast China's province of Fujian January 20, Zhu said the national crackdown on smuggling activities has been crowned with significant successes, which have had substantial deterrent effects on the culprits. ����But they are still very active, using increasingly more sophisticated methods and once we drop our vigilance they will stage a comeback, said the premier. "There will be no ultimate victory over smuggling." ����The customs and police involved in combating smuggling must be armed with the most advanced equipment, but more important is to ensure the quality and high standards of staff. ����Severe punishment must be meted out to those involved in corruption to guarantee that customs forces are the "iron wall" safeguarding the country's economic safety, Zhu said. ����The premier is on a fact-finding tour of eastern Fujian Province which began on January 15. He has talked to customs officials, made inquiries about the re-employment of laid-off workers and called on poor farmers, the disabled and teachers and pupils. ����He said introducing the strategy to reduce redundant workforce in the state sector to raise efficiency and help laid-off workers find new jobs is to build an important mechanism for China's socialist market economy. Only when the new mechanism is established and maintained, can the state enterprises be revitalized. ����Local financial departments should allocate adequate funding in their budgets to guarantee the basic living standards of the layoffs, Zhu said. ����He also passed on President Jiang Zemin's New Year greetings to the local officials and people. ���� Economicnews 1999-01-21 Page1 Full Story in Chinese