On March 7, a press conference focusing on people’s well-being was held during the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress. Addressing the remarkable progress in China’s health care development and high-quality population growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Lei Haichao, Minister of the National Health Commission, stated: “Over the 14th Five-Year Plan period, advances in China’s health sector have been evident across all dimensions and stages. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we have fully leveraged our institutional strengths, particularly by mobilizing the whole society. Medical workers have demonstrated a spirit of selfless dedication in serving the public, leading to historic achievements in health care. I will summarize these achievements with four key figures.”

1. 52.6%: This represents the proportion of outpatient visits handled by primary health care institutions nationwide in 2025, accounting for 52.6% of total annual outpatient visits in China. Statistics show that in recent years, both the volume and proportion of outpatient services provided by primary health care facilities have continued to rise, achieving a “dual increase.” This progress is mainly attributed to the consistent implementation of the Party’s health policy prioritizing primary care. More medical workers now serve at urban and rural grassroots levels, while people increasingly prefer accessible and convenient medical services. With strong support from the Ministry of Education and other departments, nearly 100,000 targeted rural medical students have been trained for towns and townships. Collaborating with the Central Organization Establishment Committee and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, we have integrated college-graduate village doctors into the staffing of township health centers; over the past few years, more than 10,000 college graduates working in village clinics have obtained staffing positions, further consolidating the foundation of primary care. The 52.6% share of primary care in the hierarchical medical system is a gratifying achievement and continues to improve. Moving forward, we will sustain efforts to prioritize primary care during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

2. 15 Minutes: This refers to the travel time from residents’ homes to the nearest medical service facility. Currently, over 90% of residents can reach the nearest medical service point within 15 minutes, indicating a significant improvement in the accessibility of China’s health care services. By the end of 2025, the number of medical and health institutions nationwide exceeded 1.1 million, covering both urban and rural areas and providing essential health services to China’s 1.4 billion residents, greatly enhancing convenience in medical treatment and health care access. The health care workforce has also expanded steadily: by 2025, the total number of health personnel surpassed 16.08 million, including 5.29 million licensed (assistant) physicians and over 6.03 million registered nurses. Nevertheless, given China’s 1.4 billion population, continued development of health care resources remains essential. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the expansion of health care resources has played a positive role in improving the equity and accessibility of basic health services.

3. 10,800 Yuan: This is the total amount of child-rearing subsidies provided by the state to infants born on or after January 1, 2022, in accordance with laws and regulations—300 yuan per month, paid annually for three consecutive years, totaling 10,800 yuan. Since the fourth quarter of last year, we have gradually distributed these subsidies to eligible families; to date, over 33 million infants have received them. As some people vividly put it: “Children are born with their own ‘food rations’ and ‘salaries’.” The monthly 300-yuan subsidy helps families raise children and promote their healthy development. Nationwide, this subsidy represents substantial fiscal expenditure: the central government has allocated over 90 billion yuan, with local governments contributing more than 10 billion yuan, bringing total central and local investment in child-rearing subsidies to over 100 billion yuan—a tangible safeguard for people’s well-being. Meanwhile, progress has been made in childcare services, especially inclusive childcare: 890,000 new inclusive childcare places were added last year, bringing the total to 6.6 million. These measures provide crucial policy support for high-quality population development.

4. 79.25 Years: Premier Li Qiang mentioned this figure in his Government Work Report a few days ago—it is China’s average life expectancy in 2025. Despite various shocks, pressures, and challenges during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Chinese residents’ health has continued to improve. The 2025 average life expectancy of 79.25 years represents an increase of 1.32 years from 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 0.26 years, a level of progress that stands out among upper-middle-income countries. Going forward, we will maintain this momentum, adapt to people’s evolving expectations for a better life, and strive to ensure they live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

These achievements are the result of joint efforts by Party committees and governments at all levels, the whole society, and over 16 million medical workers. We hope the whole society will accord medical workers the respect and understanding they deserve. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, we will adhere to a people-centered approach to health, working with redoubled efforts and enthusiasm to better serve the public.

Source: Xinhua News Agency