A prominent Chinese medical expert voiced his support on Tuesday for a controversial government campaign to get kids running over the winter.

Zhong Nanshan, the leading doctor in treating the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002, said he was in favor of the Ministry of Education's recent health campaign.

It requires schools to organize daily runs for students from Oct. 26 until the end of next April. Primary schoolchildren must run 1 km per day, junior high school students 1.5 km, and senior high and college/university students 2 km.

"I've been jogging three or four times a week in the past decades. It has become sort of a habit. Look at me, I'm 72 and still in very good shape," Zhong said.

Debate over the campaign has been all over newspapers and websites, with opposition coming from students, parents as well as schools. Many argued schools don't have enough space for the exercise, running might take up study time and the campaign might not be very helpful for students health.

Liu Dong, a high school student in Beijing, for example, said he was fond of playing basketball, but had little interest in running. He said the campaign might be a burden.

Xiong Bingqi, a specialist in education, said more exercise options should be provided to students instead of just running.

"Some of the arguments are merely excuses," Zhong said.

The expert on respiratory diseases said running was one of the best ways to enhance young people's heart and lung functions as well as their endurance. Zhong added, it benefits not only the body but the mind and personality.

"Sports teaches people to always try their best and never admit defeat. During the SARS outbreak, many people disagreed with me but I stuck to my own opinions that I believed were right," he said.

Zhong believed the running campaign was meeting hurdles because student achievement nowadays is measured by examination scores, not health.

"Those with poor health might not feel the pinch when they are young, but will feel it when they're in their 30s or 40s."

Zhong urged schools to pay attention to details when organizing the campaign. For example, running should be done in the afternoon not in the morning, as morning exercise will make students sleepy when having classes.

He also thinks running should be halted during heavily-pollution days for the sake of students' health.

"Winter running is a good idea for students. It's natural for it to draw controversy but should be persisted," Zhong said.

This is the first time the ministry has launched such a campaign. It was announced on Sept. 28.

A survey of Chinese students' health in 2005 showed that lack of physical stamina was a serious problem. The campaign was intended to improve children's endurance and team spirit, said a Ministry of Education official.

(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2008)