Students' health, both physically and mentally, will remain a priority as China has emphasized the philosophy that "health comes first" in the newly unveiled 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for education development. The nation also aims to shape itself into a study destination for the world's outstanding youths under the plan.

Figures given by the Ministry of Education on Wednesday show that the nation has so far established the world's largest education system with high quality, world-class literacy levels and educational fairness. The gross enrollment ratio of preschool has reached 92.9 percent and 92 percent for enrollment in senior high schools. The completion rate of nine-year compulsory education has so far reached 96.1 percent.

Under the 15th Five-Year Plan for education development, which was released in June, students in primary and high schools should have at least two hours for sports activities each day and have 15-minute interclass breaks. Food security and a healthy diet are highlighted in the plan, as well as physical health in case of infectious diseases on campus.

The plan has also stressed the importance of mental health education by urging schools to hire teachers for mental health promotion and optimizing the national monitoring and early warning system of this kind.

"The philosophy of 'health comes first' is turning from a slogan into reality as many local schools have explored effective practices. More students get more outdoor time, enjoy sunshine and have improved bodies," Tian Zuyin, a senior official at the Education Ministry, said at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

He said in the coming years, the ministry will keep urging schools to pay attention to students' health while not replacing or taking up the students' physical education classes and interclass rest time. Schools in the countryside with weaker sports resources, like teachers and equipment, will get assistance from the ministry.

The ministry will also urge schools to enrich PE classes to let students get access to sports events they like and become stronger both physically and mentally through exercise.

"We will organize more school-level or national sports competitions at schools and encourage children to take an active part in them to give stages to the children to show their talent," Tian said.

Also, the ministry will channel more effort into vocational education, produce more skilled talent, and improve China's global influence in education in the coming several years.

According to Wang Guangyan, vice-minister and spokesman of the ministry, the ministry will keep optimizing the teaching resources, including curriculum, books and teachers, and training and internship programs to improve skilled talent cultivation.

He said the ministry will set up about 200 training bases nationwide for the integration of industry and education, and implement highly skilled talent education programs in sectors including logistics, software and data services, international trade and catering to help improve the nation's services industry.

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the nation will keep implementing opening-up policy on education and aim to shape the country into an ideal study destination for the world's young talent. According to the ministry, about 380,000 international students from 191 countries and regions studied in the Chinese mainland during the academic year from 2024 to 2025.

"We encourage the world's high-level technological colleges and universities to set up international schools in China, and we invite youths from around the globe to experience the real China through cultural exchange programs," Guo Peng, director of the ministry's development planning department, said, adding that Chinese students are also encouraged to study overseas.

"We will deepen cooperation in education and science with other countries and regions, as well as international organizations, and make our contributions to the establishment of a more inclusive global education system and a community with a shared future for humanity," Guo said.