BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan has highlighted strict prevention and control of the pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus in recent conferences to secure winning the combat against the infectious disease.

Noting that the pneumonia kept spreading, Sun urged local authorities and relevant departments to enhance their sense of responsibility, and take stricter and more targeted measures to contain the virus.

She required integrating resources and scientific deployment of medical personnel to strengthen treatment, adding that the work to develop effective medicine and study on the virus should be intensified.

While calling for greater efforts to ensure the supply of medicine, disinfection materials, prevention and treatment equipment, Sun demanded transparency in reports of the pneumonia and efficient commanding at the local level.