China National People’s Congress Discusses Public Welfare Initiatives

A significant press conference was held in Beijing on Saturday during the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, where multiple ministers addressed key topics related to public welfare and the development of social services.

Education Minister Huai Jinpeng emphasized the establishment of the world's largest high-quality education system, which now includes 440,000 schools accommodating 280 million students along with 18.7 million teachers. This ambitious educational framework demonstrates China's commitment to enhancing public education services.

Minister Huai highlighted the remarkable progress in basic education, noting a preschool gross enrollment rate of 92.9%, marking an increase of 28.4 percentage points compared to figures before the 18th National Congress. This rate significantly exceeds the OECD average, demonstrating China's progress.

In the realm of elderly care, Minister Lu Zhiyuan reported on the development of a comprehensive service network designed to meet the needs of both urban and rural elderly populations. Nearly 80,000 meal assistance points and 495,000 home-based care beds have been established to support this demographic.

Under plans for the coming five years, Lu outlined the establishment of a three-tiered elderly care service network at various administrative levels, aiming to enhance equipment in care institutions and advance training for elderly care personnel.

Additionally, the National Health Commission's Lei Haichao brought attention to China's healthcare achievements, stating that over 90% of families can reach medical facilities within 15 minutes, reflecting significant improvements in accessibility.

Minister Lei provided data indicating that the average life expectancy in China has reached 79.25 years as of 2025, an increase of 1.32 years since 2020, underscoring the ongoing advancements in healthcare quality and population health.

As part of the overall strategy, the government is also focusing on job creation through emerging sectors boosted by artificial intelligence, which was discussed by Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping.

Moreover, cultural and tourism sectors are thriving, as Minister Sun Yeli reported record-breaking domestic travel and spending during recent holidays, indicating a robust economic recovery in this area.

Collectively, these presentations at the National People's Congress underscore China’s multifaceted approach to enhancing public welfare and social services, demonstrating a commitment to improving the quality of life for its citizens.