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Demographic development is a crucial matter concerning the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In recent years, China's demographic trends have been characterized by low birth rates, an aging population, and regional disparities in population growth. Faced with these new circumstances, what's your strategy to promote high-quality population development? Thank you. 

Yu Xuejun:

Thank you for your question. The demographic changes you mentioned are the result of socioeconomic development and align with the general trends of global demographic transition and modernization. In response to this new demographic situation, General Secretary Xi Jinping made an important proposal and related requirements for supporting Chinese modernization through high-quality population development at the first meeting of the Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs under the 20th CPC Central Committee on May 5, 2023. The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee also explicitly called for improving the system of fertility support policies and incentive mechanisms, fostering a birth-friendly society, and promoting high-quality population development. Demography matters to all countries. Demographic development is a high-stakes issue affecting the national economy and people's well-being. We must follow the unified arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and ensure coordinated efforts across localities and departments, making sustained efforts over the long term.

We will fulfill our duties by doing work in the following aspects. First, we will thoroughly implement the health-first development strategy, establishing a population service system that covers all people throughout their entire lives. This includes enhancing the management of major chronic diseases, increasing the average life expectancy, and steadily improving the overall health of the population. Second, in collaboration with relevant departments, we will accelerate the creation and improvement of a policy system to support childbirth, develop an inclusive childcare service system, reduce the burden of childbirth, childcare, and education on families, maintain an appropriate birth rate and population size, and promote long-term balanced population development. Third, we will strongly advocate for marriage and childbirth at an appropriate age, promote healthy childbirth and parenting, encourage shared childcare responsibilities between spouses, and respect the societal value of childbirth. We will also guide young people to consider marriage, childbirth and family from a more positive perspective, cultivating a new culture around these concepts and creating a birth-friendly society. 

Next, the NHC will thoroughly implement the central government's decisions and plans, integrating high-quality population development with improving people's quality of life. We will accelerate the execution of various tasks and address the urgent and pressing issues related to childbirth, childcare and education that concern the public. These efforts will drive high-quality population development. Thank you.