People's Livelihood Theme Press Conference: Multiple Ministers Speak Authoritatively - A Quick Overview

Today at 10 a.m., the 14th National People’s Congress Fourth Session held a press conference at the Metropolis Center News Conference Hall. The Minister of Education, Huai Jinpeng; Minister of Civil Affairs, Lu Zhiyuan; Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, Wang Xiaoping; Minister of Culture and Tourism, Sun Yeli; and Director of the National Health Commission, Lei Haizhao, answered questions from Chinese and foreign journalists on topics related to education, civil affairs, human resources and social security, culture and tourism, health, and other issues.

Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng:

Our Compulsory Education Reaches the Average Level of High-Income Countries

Minister Huai Jinpeng introduced at the meeting that currently, China’s basic education coverage and key indicators have fully surpassed the average level of middle- and high-income countries. Among them, preschool and compulsory education have reached the average level of high-income countries.

China’s Gross Enrollment Rate in Preschool Education Reaches 92.9%, Significantly Higher Than OECD Countries’ Average

Huai Jinpeng stated that China currently operates the largest and highest-quality education system in the world. In terms of basic education, the gross enrollment rate in preschool education is 92.9%, an increase of 28.4 percentage points compared to before the 18th National Congress, and significantly higher than the OECD average of 84.7%.

The “Double First-Class” Universities Have Expanded Enrollment by 38,000 Students in the Past Two Years

Huai Jinpeng said that in the past two years, through expanding high-quality undergraduate programs, 38,000 students have been admitted to “Double First-Class” universities, actively responding to the public’s demand for quality higher education. Additionally, 18 regular undergraduate universities and 70 vocational undergraduate colleges have been newly added over the past five years, with 700,000 more undergraduate admissions. International cooperation in running schools has been promoted, with over 540 new Sino-foreign cooperative institutions and projects at the undergraduate level or above, providing an additional 350,000 degrees.

Deepening Special Campaigns on “Campus Meals,” Textbook and Auxiliary Material Procurement

Huai Jinpeng stated that efforts will continue to clean up violations such as illegal schooling, excessive study hours, and campus bullying, and special campaigns on “campus meals” and textbook procurement will be carried out thoroughly.

Building a Fair and High-Quality Basic Education System with Four Key Tasks

Huai Jinpeng introduced that the next step will focus on building a fair and high-quality basic education system by implementing major projects in basic education and focusing on four tasks:

First, expanding and improving quality to ensure fairness. On one hand, increasing the coverage of high-quality resources by raising standards—mainly increasing public kindergarten places and improving standards to meet national development needs, and promoting the revitalization of county-level high schools. On the other hand, safeguarding the bottom line of educational fairness by continuing sunshine enrollment initiatives and establishing long-term mechanisms for fair admission, ensuring equal access for migrant children, left-behind children, and children with disabilities.

Second, optimizing resources to improve quality. To proactively respond to the peak of school-age population, efforts have been made to forecast and strengthen the supply of places in urban areas with net population inflow and in weak rural areas, and to adjust educational resources across different stages according to local conditions. Support pilot programs for small class teaching in eligible regions, expand the “Silver Age Plan,” and develop township boarding schools and small rural schools as needed.

Third, strengthening and benefiting teachers to lay a solid foundation. Implement teacher development action plans to attract more outstanding talents into education and ensure high-quality teachers to cultivate future talents.

Fourth, standardizing governance to ensure safety. Launch special campaigns on campus safety, working with public security, health, market regulation, and other departments to implement stricter measures and strengthen campus safety. Continue cleaning up violations such as illegal schooling, excessive study hours, and campus bullying, and carry out special campaigns on “campus meals” and textbook procurement. This year, we will continue the year of standardized management in basic education, cracking down on violations as soon as they appear to prevent problems from rebounding.

Implementing a New Round of Student Mental Health Promotion

Huai Jinpeng said that a new round of student mental health promotion initiatives will be launched to build a comprehensive mental health education system for all students.

“15-Minute Breaks Between Classes” and “Two Hours of Physical Activity Every Day” Have Been Implemented in All Provinces

He introduced that the “15-minute break” and “two hours of physical activity daily” have been fully deployed and implemented across all provinces. According to authoritative national monitoring, the overall health and fitness level of students nationwide continues to improve, and the myopia rate among students has decreased for four consecutive years.

Extensive “Three Major Ball” Competitions to Energize Campuses

Huai Jinpeng emphasized that physical exercise is the most effective way to promote health, encouraging students to leave classrooms and go to the playground. Moving forward, we will deepen efforts to strengthen students’ physical fitness through activities like “show your class schedule,” strengthen tracking and evaluation, and ensure that “two hours” and “15-minute breaks” are practically implemented in every school and benefit every student. We aim to create sports classes that students love and that make them sweat, widely organize “Three Major Ball” competitions, and energize campuses with “class, school, and city competitions,” ensuring every student masters at least one sport skill for lifelong benefit.

Minister of Civil Affairs Lu Zhiyuan:

Preliminary Establishment of a “One Network” for Elderly Care Services Covering Urban and Rural Areas

Lu Zhiyuan stated that China has initially built a “one network” for elderly care services covering urban and rural areas. At the county level, there are basic public elderly care institutions serving as “main platforms” and “overall dispatch.” Over half of townships (streets) have established regional elderly care centers. Embedded community elderly care centers have been built in cities, and neighborhood mutual aid points and rural happiness homes have been developed in rural areas.

Providing Elderly Care Consumption Subsidies to Moderately and Severely Disabled Elderly, Benefiting 892,000 Elderly

Lu Zhiyuan introduced that focusing on urgent needs of the elderly, efforts have been made to develop village (community)-supported home-based elderly care services. For example, nearly 80,000 elderly meal service points have been established nationwide, serving over 3 million elderly daily; 2.24 million households with special difficulties have been retrofitted for aging, making home care safer. This year, subsidies for elderly care services have been issued to those with moderate or higher disabilities, with a total of 1.72 billion yuan in vouchers redeemed, benefiting 892,000 elderly.

Striving to Build a County-Town-Rural Three-Tier Elderly Care Network by the End of the 14th Five-Year Plan

Lu Zhiyuan said that in the next five years, efforts will continue to develop county-level comprehensive elderly care management platforms, expand the functions of regional elderly care centers, and adapt to local conditions to increase coverage of village (community) elderly care facilities, aiming to establish a county-town-rural three-tier elderly care network by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan.

Enhancing Elderly Care Talent Training, Including “Elderly Care Service Workers” as a New Profession

Lu Zhiyuan introduced that policies will be improved regarding resource input, with support from relevant departments in funding, planning, standards, talent, and technology. Guidance will be provided for scientific planning of elderly care facilities, and national standards for elderly care services will be formulated. The development of smart elderly care will be promoted, and talent training will be strengthened, including the recognition of vocational skills levels and incorporating “elderly care service workers” into new professions.

Prices of Operating Public Cemeteries’ Burial Plots Have Decreased by 20% After Rectification

Lu Zhiyuan stated that last year, focusing on issues of public concern, special rectification efforts were made in funeral and elderly care services, addressing urgent problems faced by the public. Concerning funerals, efforts targeted high charges, lack of transparency, and poor service quality, implementing reductions, fee cuts, and improved services. Unnecessary items were removed, costs lowered, and illegal high charges and inducements cracked down on. Regulations and policies were improved, public welfare funeral facilities promoted, and the “one-time funeral” service was implemented. All charges and standards are publicly disclosed. As a result, prices of operating public cemetery plots decreased by 20%, and average funeral costs dropped by 33%.

Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping:

Studying Measures to Use Artificial Intelligence to Create New Jobs and Empower Traditional Roles

Wang Xiaoping said that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security is studying relevant measures to actively leverage artificial intelligence in creating new jobs and empowering traditional roles, promoting inclusive development that balances technological progress and improving people’s livelihoods.

Implementing a Three-Pronged Action to Stabilize Jobs, Expand Capacity, and Improve Quality

She stated that efforts will be strengthened to implement a three-pronged approach: stabilizing employment, expanding capacity, and improving quality. Support will be increased for labor-intensive industries such as foreign trade, construction, and hospitality to stabilize jobs. Employment potential in digital economy, high-end manufacturing, and modern services will be tapped to expand capacity. The minimum wage adjustment mechanism will be implemented, market order regulated, and wage payment security for migrant workers ensured to improve quality and protect rights.

Launching Skill Training Programs Suitable for Older Workers

Wang Xiaoping announced that the ministry will launch skill training programs suitable for older workers, deepen labor cooperation, broaden employment channels for migrant workers, and strengthen employment assistance for those at risk of falling back into poverty or impoverished, helping them stabilize employment and increase income.

This Year, About 12.7 Million College Graduates Are Expected

She said that this year, approximately 12.7 million college graduates are expected, representing valuable, energetic, and highly creative young talent. Efforts will be made to explore employment channels, expand grassroots employment, and help young people showcase their talents across industries. We will seize the spring recruitment and pre-graduation periods to advance public employment services into campuses, organize large-scale internships and skills training, and guide youth to develop professional ethics and better integrate into the workforce and society.

The 48th World Skills Competition Will Be Held in Shanghai from September 22 to 27

A reporter asked about the recent success of award-winning participants in the World Skills Competition appearing on the Spring Festival Gala, and how skill development will be promoted afterward. Wang Xiaoping responded that the 48th World Skills Competition will be held in Shanghai from September 22 to 27. Under the theme “Skills Change the World, Skills Brighten the Future,” a high-standard, high-quality, spectacular skills event will be presented. Taking this opportunity, more investment in people will be encouraged to motivate young people to pursue a bright future through skills.

Over 10 Million Subsidized Vocational Skills Training Sessions Will Be Conducted This Year

Wang Xiaoping stated that given rapid technological changes and accelerated skill updates, learning has become an inevitable requirement of this era. A lifelong vocational skills training system will be built to meet individual needs at different stages of workers’ careers, ensuring everyone can learn anytime, anywhere. Training for new entrants will include preparatory and general skills training; for enterprise employees, apprenticeship and on-the-job training; for those changing jobs, new skills and entrepreneurship training. This year, large-scale vocational skills improvement training will be carried out, with over 10 million subsidized training sessions, focusing on emerging industries like low-altitude economy, new energy vehicles, artificial intelligence, and health and wellness services.

Continuing to Develop New Occupations

She added that the ministry will closely monitor new trends and opportunities, focusing on new productive forces, consumption hotspots, and social services, continuously expanding new occupations. Efforts will be made to accelerate the formulation of national occupational standards, improve talent evaluation systems, strengthen new occupation training, and broaden employment opportunities for workers.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli:

Domestic Travel and Spending During the 2025 Year-End and 2026 Spring Festival Holidays Will Reach Record Highs

Sun Yeli said that during the nine-day Spring Festival holiday this year, domestic travel reached 596 million trips with over 800 billion yuan spent, setting a record. In 2025, domestic trips are expected to exceed 6.5 billion, with spending surpassing 6.3 trillion yuan, also a historic high.

Preparing and Implementing the “14th Five-Year” Cultural and Tourism Development Plan

He stated that the next step is to focus on building a strong cultural and tourism nation by preparing and implementing the “14th Five-Year” plan, aligning with national development strategies, and integrating culture and tourism into the overall national development framework to better serve economic and social growth.

Zero Tolerance for Illegal and Unethical Business Practices Such as Cheating and Coercive Shopping

Sun Yeli emphasized strengthening market regulation and cracking down on chaos in the cultural and tourism markets. For illegal practices like cheating, extorting, and forced shopping, a “zero tolerance” approach will be maintained, with strict supervision, and severe penalties for violations.

By 2025, International Visitors’ Mobile Payment Spending Will Reach About 80 Billion Yuan

He introduced that China is actively promoting international payment facilitation, and by 2025, inbound tourists’ mobile payment consumption is expected to reach approximately 80 billion yuan.

In 2025, Over 150 Million International Visitors Will Come to China

Sun Yeli said that China has introduced policies to boost inbound tourism. By 2025, the number of inbound visitors is expected to exceed 150 million, with a year-on-year increase of over 17%, and spending over 130 billion US dollars. Among them, over 30 million will enter visa-free.

Enhancing the Entire Inbound Tourism Chain for Greater Convenience

He noted that “Becoming Chinese” has become a popular phrase online, reflecting foreigners’ desire to experience China’s life. The Ministry will further promote China’s tourism image, sharing its magnificent landscapes, rich culture, long history, and the beautiful lives of Chinese people worldwide. Additionally, efforts will be made with relevant departments to continuously improve visa, customs, transportation, accommodation, dining, and sightseeing services, enhancing the entire inbound tourism experience and establishing China’s brand as a top destination for travel, shopping, and services.

Director of the National Health Commission Lei Haizhao:

China’s Primary Healthcare Institutions Have Achieved Double Growth in Visits and Share for Five Consecutive Years

Lei Haizhao stated that by 2025, primary healthcare institutions will account for 52.6% of all medical visits nationwide, with the number of visits and their proportion increasing for five consecutive years.

Over 33 Million Families Have Received Childcare Subsidies

He said that the government has issued childcare subsidies of 3,600 yuan per year for infants born after January 1, 2022, in accordance with laws and regulations, until the child turns three. To date, 33 million families have received these subsidies.

Average Life Expectancy in China Will Reach 79.25 Years by 2025

Lei Haizhao said that by 2025, China’s average life expectancy will reach 79.25 years, an increase of 1.32 years compared to 2020, with an annual growth of 0.26 years.

Planning About 1,000 County-Level Medical Communities During the 14th Five-Year Plan

He announced that around 1,000 county-level medical communities will be planned during the “14th Five-Year” period.

Over 5,500 Hospitals Have Established Weight Management Clinics

Lei Haizhao noted that last year’s health weight management campaign saw widespread participation. Over 5,500 secondary and tertiary hospitals have set up weight management clinics providing professional guidance. Many cities have expanded health trails, some hotels and homes have installed weight scales, and some cafeterias have labeled food calories.

Increasing Cancer Early Screening Efforts

He introduced that, according to professional advice, people over 50, long-term smokers, those with COPD or a family history of lung cancer, should undergo low-dose spiral CT scans annually; those over 50, overweight, with smoking history or family history of colorectal cancer, should have colonoscopy or fecal occult blood tests every 3 to 5 years; those over 45, with heavy drinking, gastric ulcers, or family history of gastric cancer, should have gastroscopy every 3 to 5 years; women over 35 should have breast cancer screening every 2 to 3 years, with higher frequency for those with high risk factors like family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Early prevention and detection are key, and efforts will be increased to make cancer screening more accessible.

(Source: Caixin)