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Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Mr. Li Bin, vice minister of the National Health Commission (NHC)

Mr. Qin Huaijin, vice commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Mr. Chang Jile, vice administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration

Mr. Zhu Hongbiao, senior official of the Department of Healthcare Reform, NHC

Mr. Wang Haidong, senior official of the Department of Aging and Health, NHC

Mr. Du Xixue, senior official of the Department of Population Surveillance and Family Development, NHC

Chairperson:

Chen Wenjun, spokesperson of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)

Date:

Sept. 7, 2022

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Chen Wenjun:

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to this press conference held by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. Today, we are holding the 27th press conference under the theme of "China in the past decade." We are delighted to have invited Mr. Li Bin, vice minister of the NHC; Mr. Qin Huaijin, vice commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine; and Mr. Chang Jile, vice administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, to brief you on achievements in the development of China's public health since the 18th CPC National Congress. Also joining us today are Mr. Zhu Hongbiao, senior official of the Department of Healthcare Reform, NHC; Mr. Wang Haidong, senior official of the Department of Aging and Health, NHC; and Mr. Du Xixue, senior official of the Department of Population Surveillance and Family Development, NHC.

Now, let's give the floor to Mr. Li Bin for his introduction.

Li Bin: 

Friends from the press, good afternoon. I would like to express my thanks to you for your interest in and support for the health care sector.

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The most important indicator of modernization is people's health, which is the basis for people's happy life." Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has prioritized people's health and assigned it a strategic position. "Putting people and their lives first" has been the CPC's governance philosophy. We have made guidelines for health care-related work in the new era, made building a healthy China and actively responding to an aging population as national strategies, and continuously deepened the reform of the medical and health system. We have embarked on a path to reform and advance the health care sector with Chinese characteristics.

The past decade has seen the Healthy China strategy fully implemented and people's health fully guaranteed. The Law on the Promotion of Basic Medical and Health Care was formulated and revised; the outline of Healthy China 2030 was formulated and implemented and the Healthy China initiative was carried out; the Health Care Program for Poverty Alleviation has helped nearly 10 million families who had returned to poverty due to illness to escape poverty; the patriotic health campaigns have been integrated into all aspects of social health governance; civilized, healthy and green lifestyles are increasingly popular; and people's awareness of good health has been significantly improved.

The past decade has seen the balanced long-term population growth and the improved health of the elderly and children. The childbirth policy has been refined. Policies allowing couples to have two children if either parent is an only child, allowing couples to have two children, and then allowing couples to have three children have been successively implemented. The government has scrapped many restrictions and will no longer issue fines for couples who violate the family planning law by having more children than they are allowed. Meanwhile, a series of supporting policies were launched. We have implemented the national strategy for addressing population aging, improved integrated medical and elderly care services, and actively promoted the building of an elderly-friendly society. The ability to ensure the safety of mothers and infants has been significantly improved. China's infant mortality rate and mortality rate of children under 5 years old are far lower than the average level of middle- and high-income countries. The core health indicators of mothers and infants have been further improved.

The past decade has seen the deepened reform of the medical and health system and gradual resolution of the problems of access to and affordability of medical services. The practice of hospitals subsidizing their medical services with medication sales has been brought to an end. The focus was changed from "treating disease" to "improving health." The experience of Sanming city's medical reform has been promoted. The three-level network of medical and health services covering urban and rural areas has been continuously improved, and 90% of families can reach their nearest medical institution within 15 minutes. The number of medications on the National Essential Medicines List has increased to 685. The number of people covered by basic medical insurance exceeded 1.36 billion, and the proportion of health care expenses borne by individuals dropped to 27.7%.

The past decade has seen the consolidated public health protection network and the effective prevention and control of infectious diseases, chronic diseases, occupational diseases and endemic diseases. Malaria has been eliminated in China, the target of curbing hepatitis B has been achieved, and the spread of AIDS is under effective control. The rate of premature deaths from major chronic diseases is lower than the global average. The higher prevalence of major occupational diseases such as pneumoconiosis has started to be curbed. The schistosomiasis epidemic has fallen to the lowest level in history, and the goals of the three-year campaign on preventing and curing endemic diseases have been achieved as scheduled. In the face of COVID-19, the most serious infectious disease pandemic in the world in a century, China is adhering to the general strategy of "preventing inbound infections and domestic resurgence" and a dynamic zero-COVID policy. We have been constantly adjusting prevention and control measures according to the situation, protecting the lives and health of the people to the greatest extent and coordinating the prevention and control of the epidemic and economic and social development. We have withstood the severe test and fully demonstrated China's spirit, strength and sense of responsibility.

The past decade has seen an increasingly higher overall quality of healthcare workers and enhanced medical technology capacity and quality. By 2021, there were nearly 14 million health professionals in China, with an increasing number of capable personnel with talents of all kinds, 72% of whom were technical personnel working on the ground. We have worked to build a high-quality and efficient medical services system, set up national and regional medical centers, advanced the construction of healthcare consortiums in urban areas and at the county level, and deepened the reform of the medical and health care systems at the county level. Now 50% of county hospitals are capable of performing complicated surgeries. We have worked to meet the goal of treating severe and critical illnesses within all provincial-level regions, common ailments treated at the city or county hospitals and mild diseases treated at nearby medical institutions in towns and villages. The annual average medical diagnosis and treatment per person and the hospitalization rate gradually reached or approached the average level of developed countries.

The past decade has seen the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) through innovation, with more people having more convenient access to TCM services and confidently using related medicines. We have stepped up to build a high-quality and efficient TCM services system. The capacity of the community-level TCM services has made notable improvements. The TCM services are increasingly equitable, accessible and convenient. We have actively introduced TCM to the rest of the world. As a result, TCM is now available in 196 countries and regions.

The past decade has seen the rapid development of medical science and technology, with China participating in global health governance at a deeper level and in a broader scope. A special program has contributed to developing China's new medicine R&D, from making generic versions to creating new medicines. Another program has raised the abilities for comprehensive prevention and control, handling emergencies and scientific research when responding to new and sudden outbreaks of infectious diseases swiftly and effectively. We have participated in global health governance at a deeper level, taking concrete steps to push forward health cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, continuously providing medical assistance to foreign countries and showcasing China's sense of responsibility in building a global community of health during the battles against the Ebola epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In general, China has made unprecedented progress in healthcare over the past decade. Moreover, people are increasingly feeling the benefits of the country's progress. The average life expectancy in China rose from 74.8 years to 78.2 years, a historic improvement. The core health indicators of the Chinese rank among the highest of the middle- and high-income countries. People's right to health is guaranteed, highlighting the people-centered development philosophy adopted by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core.

We will continue to improve national health policy and ensure the delivery of comprehensive lifecycle health services for our people, cementing the foundation of health for the second centenary goal.

Now, my colleagues and I are ready to take your questions. Thank you. 

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Chen Wenjun: 

Thank you, Mr. Li. The floor is now open for questions. Please identify the news outlet you represent before raising your questions.

CCTV:

The Healthy China initiative, as a national strategy, is closely related to enabling people to feel more satisfied, happy and secure. The Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 has declared that China will become a powerful country in terms of health by 2035. How has the work progressed to advance the Healthy China initiative? What progress has been made in achieving phased goals? What benefits have people enjoyed during the process? Thank you.

Li Bin:

I'll answer your questions. The Healthy China initiative has received a lot of attention. We have advanced the relevant work from the following aspects.

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council have attached great importance and given top priority to improving people's health, making the major policy decision to carry out the Healthy China initiative and committed to making China a powerful country in terms of health by 2035.

We have thoughtfully implemented the policy decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council and worked with other related departments in adopting multiple measures and focusing on their implementation. The primary goals of the Healthy China initiative in 2022 were achieved ahead of schedule, and efforts to build a Healthy China are now off to a good start and advancing smoothly.

First, a health-conscious approach has been promoted in all policy decisions, establishing a framework that integrates health considerations into policymaking. We established a committee to advance the Healthy China initiative and an expert advisory committee. We have explored the establishment of a health impact assessment mechanism and formed a work pattern featuring coordination among various departments and at the provincial, city and county levels.

Second, we have focused on popularizing health knowledge to more families and built two pools and one mechanism step by step to comprehensively spread health science. Two pools include an expert pool and a resource pool for health science popularization at the national level, and the mechanism is tasked with publicizing and spreading health knowledge by all media.

Third, we have attached importance to the full life cycle and greatly improved our capacity to protect health. The average basic public health service subsidy has been raised to 84 yuan per person. We have provided health management services for patients with hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis, and other priority diseases, and for target groups such as kids aged 0-6, pregnant women, and seniors aged over 65. Solid progress has been made in comprehensively preventing and controlling myopia among kids and teenagers, and gradual improvement has been seen in students' physical health. Serious diseases have been effectively prevented, and the premature mortality due to major chronic diseases is lower than the average global level.

Fourth, people's life has become healthier, and the environment where we work and live has continued to be better. Healthy living has become a new fashion, and 25.4% of residents have had basic health awareness. The area of sports venues has been increasing, and 37.2% of residents have been taking part in regular exercise. The living environment in urban areas has improved notably, and the proportion of days with good air quality in a year has continued to increase. The sanitary conditions in rural areas have taken on a brand-new look, and tap water and sanitary toilets have become more accessible to rural residents.

Fifth, all people across the country have been encouraged to be involved in the Healthy China initiative, and we have seen an increasingly denser atmosphere of people making fitness activities part of their life. The initiative has strategically themed on achieving health for all with joint contribution and shared benefits, advocated that "everyone is the first person responsible for his/her health," helping form a sound social environment where all are pursuing and maintaining their health. Thank you.

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China Youth Daily:

Medical reform is a difficult problem around the world. What measures has the NHC taken to promote in-depth medical reform? What achievements have been made? And what inspiration has been gained? Thank you.

Zhu Hongbiao:

Thank you for your care and attention to medical reform. Just as you said, medical reform is a difficult problem around the world, and in particular, it is even more difficult, arduous, and complicated for China, a major developing country with a population of more than 1.4 billion, to implement medical reform. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, in accordance with the CPC Central Committee and the State Council's top-level design on in-depth medical reform, we have focused on pilot demonstration programs, key and difficult issues, overall coordination, supervision, and evaluation. We have summarized and popularized medical reform experience in typical areas represented by Sanming city, pushed ahead with medical reform to deliver more solid outcomes, and strived to solve the problem of difficult access to medical treatment. Thanks to these efforts, we have obtained great efforts in medical reform.

First, it has become easier for people to access medical treatment. We have launched 12 national medical centers of different academic categories, 50 state-level regional medical centers, and 15,000 healthcare consortiums of various forms, channeling quality medical resources to lower levels. In 2021, the number of patients taking interprovincial medical treatment, which is related to the specialties of the first group of state-level regional medical centers, dropped by 9.3% compared with 2019. Medical treatment procedures have become more reasonable.

Second, the problem of expensive access to medical treatment has been better dealt with. All public hospitals are now required to stop profiting from higher-priced medicine and consumables, and our capacity to ensure access to basic medical resources has steadily improved. We have pressed ahead with bulk government purchases for medicines and medical consumables and put them into use. The price of seven batches of medicines from bulk government purchases dropped by over 50% on average, the price of two batches of consumables from government bulk procurement dropped by over 80% on average, and the medicine price fixed through negotiations and bargaining dropped by over 50% on average.  

Third, we have put more emphasis on health-centered reform. With the guidance of the concept of developing comprehensive health care services, we have attached greater importance to prevention during the implementation of the Healthy China initiative, and the concept of "everyone is the first person responsible for his/her health" has become more acceptable. We have strengthened the prevention and treatment of major diseases and also the health management of chronic diseases, reformed and improved the disease prevention and control system, given play to the unique strength of TCM, and developed integrated medical and elderly care services. With such efforts, China's health care has seen continuous innovation in the way it develops and in the modes we work with.

During our practice of in-depth medical reform, we have recognized that we must uphold the Party leadership, take a health-centered approach, and provide non-for-profit healthcare. We must also apply a systematic approach to promote coordination and ensure the effectiveness of all medical reform policies.

Going forward, we will develop based on China's realities and give full play to its institutional strengths, continuing to look for a Chinese solution to the global problem of medical reform. Thank you.

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Southern Metropolis Daily:

China has adjusted and refined childbirth policies several times in the past 10 years. How is China's demographic development now? What will be done to support long-term balanced demographic development? Thank you.

Du Xixue:

Let me answer this question. Demographic?development is one of China's most fundamental interests. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has gradually adjusted childbirth policies and promoted balanced demographic development from the strategic perspective of realizing national rejuvenation in light of China's demographic changes. The two-child policy for couples in which one partner is an only child, the universal two-child policy, the three-child policy and supporting measures were implemented step by step, which delivered new results. The policies increased the proportion of newborns who were second or third children from 35% to more than 55%. The gender ratio at birth also became more balanced. Healthy childbirth and child-rearing have been promoted, which has ensured the safety of mothers and infants. Universal childcare services are complete with improved policies, regulations, standards and service systems. Supportive measures have been improved to relieve families' burden of childbirth and child-rearing. 

Profound changes have occurred in China's demographic structure in the new era, with a substantial slowdown in population growth, a declining fertility rate and an aging population. We will accelerate the introduction of policies to support childbirth and provide universal childcare services to satisfy people's expectations and eliminate their worries by integrating marriage, birth, child-rearing and child-education services. In doing so, China will release its potential for childbirth and realize strategic demographic goals. Thank you.

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Macau Monthly:

Chinese herbs are the material foundation for inheriting TCM, and the vehicle for leveraging advantages of TCM. In the past 10 years, how has Chinese medicine developed in China? What are the plans for the future? Thank you.

Li Bin:

TCM matters a lot. Let us invite Mr. Qin Huaijin, vice-commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, to answer your questions. 

Qin Huaijin:

Thank you for your questions. The past decade was the best period for the development of TCM since the founding of the People's Republic of China. As you mentioned, Chinese herbs lay the material foundation for TCM's inheritance and innovative development. With the coordinated efforts of relevant departments, Chinese herbs have seen sound momentum in industrial development, quality improvement, and technological innovation. 

First, the Chinese herb industry has experienced rapid development. National key laboratories, the National Engineering Research Center and other national platforms have deepened cooperation involving industries, universities and research institutes. The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the National Development and Reform Commission jointly launched a campaign to standardize traditional Chinese herbs and improve quality supervision across the whole production chain. Currently, the industrial system based on agriculture and connected by commerce with the industry as the mainstay has been improved, showing strong impetus. According to statistics from the national medicinal sector, the revenue of the Chinese herbs industry registered 700 billion yuan in 2021, up from 515.6 billion yuan in 2012. 

Second, the quality of Chinese herbs has improved. The fourth national census on Chinese herbs presented a clear picture of Chinese herbs resources. Breakthroughs have been made in research on homegrown herbs and alternatives, with ecological planting in full swing. The herb tracing system has been more comprehensively applied. Several departments jointly issued a plan to construct production bases of fine medicinal material and a guideline for the quality review of herb production. They also stepped up management at the source. The drug spot check report in 2021 showed that 98% of prepared TCM samples were up to standard. 

The third is the continuous deepening of scientific and technological innovation of TCM. The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Ministry of Science and Technology and other national departments have continued to increase spending on science and technology in this regard, and strengthened research into genuine medicinal materials, TCM processing, quality assurance, and new drug research and development. We have been actively cooperating with the National Medical Products Administration to reform and improve the TCM evaluation and approval system that conforms to the TCM laws, and to establish a "three-in-one" evidence-based review system of TCM theory, human experience and clinical trials, and have further stimulated the vitality of scientific and technological innovation in TCM.

Next, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine will conscientiously implement the requirements of the 14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the deployment of the major project for the development of TCM, and strengthen cooperation with relevant departments. Focusing on the complete process of TCM cultivation, research and development, production and use, we will give full play to the leading role of scientific and technological support, promote improvements in the quality of TCM and deepen evidence-based research so as to better demonstrate the clinical value of TCM and meet the people's medication needs. Thank you.

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The Straits Times:

Given that it has been nearly three years since the pandemic started, is the country's current dynamic zero-COVID policy at odds with economic growth? How long more can we expect zero dynamic to continue? And furthermore, since over 90% of the Chinese population is now vaccinated, can we expect a timeline for the country to move towards living with the virus we've been going through? Thank you.

Chang Jile:

Thank you very much for your questions. The dynamic zero-COVID policy involves focusing on identifying problems early and correcting them while they are nascent. We need to improve abilities in COVID-19 prevention, control and early detection to promptly handle any infections, so that any cases can be found and addressed immediately, with the lowest social cost to bring the disease under control in the shortest possible time.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized targeted control, striving to achieve the greatest prevention and control effect for the lowest cost, and minimize the impact of the epidemic on economic and social development. This is also a consistent requirement of the central government. When evaluating the cost of policies and measures in fighting COVID-19, we should calculate it in big-picture terms. The country as a whole should be considered as a large economic account, a large social account, a large people's livelihood account, and a large health account. China's philosophy toward the COVID-19 pandemic control has always been putting the people and their lives first. The purpose of the prevention and control measures is to minimize the pandemic's impact on the economy and society. Of course, these measures will inevitably cause some inconvenience to people's daily life and work. However, the coordinated nationwide adoption of localized, strict prevention and control measures in areas where the epidemic occurs has ensured the normal life and work of most areas and people in China, and the stability of the supply chains. If we look at it in big-picture terms, our prevention and control measures are most economical and effective.

We are faced with a pandemic unseen in a century, with the current global COVID-19 situation still at a high level and a virus that is constantly mutating. Our understanding of the virus and the disease is still deepening, and there are still many uncertainties. The risks and threats posed by the pandemic still exist. Therefore, we must deal with the short-term and long-term, local and overall relationships, with unswerving strategic focus and continuously optimize prevention and control policies and measures as circumstances and conditions change, so as to take well-coordinated steps to respond to COVID-19 and pursue economic and social development in a more efficient way. These are the basic requirements of the scientific spirit and a science-based approach and also the realistic choices to follow the laws of science. Thank you.

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National Business Daily:

Over the past decade, China's public health system has withstood the challenges of major infectious diseases, including H7N9 avian flu, avian influenza, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Ebola and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. What progress has been made regarding China's health emergency response capacity after rising to public health emergencies so often? Thank you.

Chang Jile:

Thank you. Health emergency response capacity is the embodiment of comprehensive health strength. Over the past decade, relevant departments and local governments have worked together to develop a health emergency response system and core capacity. We have continuously strengthened and improved health emergency management, and comprehensively enhanced the capacity and level of the health emergency response system, which has also played an essential role in maintaining global public health security.

First, China's health emergency response system has taken shape. After many years of unremitting efforts, the legal and management systems of health emergency response have been established, with health emergency response capacity significantly improved. Moreover, China achieved the capacity-building goal required in the International Health Regulations (2005) as scheduled in 2014.

Second, the core capacity of health emergency response has reached an advanced international level. China has built the world's most extensive online direct reporting system for infectious diseases and public health emergencies. The average reporting time for public health emergencies is less than four hours. China is now capable of detecting more than 300 pathogens within 72 hours. A risk assessment system for public health emergencies has been built. Moreover, 59 national health emergency teams in four categories have been set up nationwide.

Third, prevention, control and response to public health emergencies have been carried out scientifically and efficiently. Centering on sources of infection, routes of transmission and susceptible populations, we have strengthened prevention and early warning measures and improved rapid response capacity to ensure effective handling of the incidents. Thanks to these efforts, the total number of public health emergencies and deaths has dropped. Severe and major epidemics have been brought under effective control. In particular, the highly pathogenic avian influenza you just mentioned, including the emerging infectious diseases H7N9 and imported epidemics like MERS, have been successfully dealt with. We have made international contributions to the prevention and control of Ebola hemorrhagic fever and secured major strategic achievements in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

We will continue to focus on the response to COVID-19, coordinate the prevention and control of multiple diseases and emergency medical relief, and further improve our emergency response capacity to better protect people's health and make greater contributions to building a global community of health for all. Thank you.

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21st Century Business Herald:

Communities are the primary level where medical and health needs must be satisfied. Health institutions at the community level are critical to solving the most pressing difficulties and problems that greatly concern people when they seek medical services. Over the years, what achievements has China secured in community-level healthcare services? Thank you.

Zhu Hongbiao:

Thank you for your question. Enhancing medical services at the community level is always the top priority of health work. In recent years, the capacity for disease prevention, treatment and health management at the community level has been continuously improved.

First, the medical and health network has covered all communities, with more accessible services. By the end of last year, China had nearly 980,000 community-level medical and health institutions, including 35,000 township health centers, 599,000 village clinics, and 36,000 community health service centers and stations.

Second, the service capacity has been continuously enhanced, gaining increasing recognition from residents. The standards for service capacity have been set and infrastructure has been improved. In 2021, community-level medical and health institutions recorded 4.25 billion medical visits, accounting for 50.2% of the national total.

Third, the number of community-level health workers has increased substantially, with the structure constantly refined. Over the past decade, the total number of staff in community-level medical and health institutions has risen from 3.44 million to 4.43 million. The proportion of licensed and assistant doctors among village doctors has risen from 18.5% to 41.5%. Steady progress has been made in contracted family doctor services, contacts and communication between doctors and patients have been strengthened, and health education and guidance have been enhanced.

Fourth, basic public health services have been improved and expanded with fairer access. Per capita subsidy for basic public health services has risen from 25 yuan in 2012 to 84 yuan now. The services undertaken by community-level institutes have expanded from 10 to 12 categories. We now receive over one billion medial visits annually from patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, TB, and other major diseases, as well as members of key groups as children aged 0-6, pregnant women, and those aged 65 and above. Such services have helped improve the health of urban and rural residents. Thank you. 

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The Poster News APP:

The health of women and children is a major public concern. Could you introduce the measures for ensuring their health over the past decade? What is your next plan under the new birth policy, which has created higher demands in this regard?

Du Xixue: 

Thank you for your questions. Maternal mortality, infant mortality, and the under-five mortality rates are key indicators for maternal and child health. They reflect a country or region's health service development and their social-economic development. In 2021, China's maternal mortality was 16.1 per 100,000, infant mortality 5 per 1,000, and under-five mortality 7.1 per 1,000, down 34.3%, 51.5%, and 46.2% respectively from the 2012 level.

Globally, among middle- and high-income countries, China's maternal mortality is far below the median 43 per 100,000, and its infant mortality and under-5 mortality are also lower than the average 9 per 1,000 and 11 per 1,000. With indicators for maternal and child health leading among middle- and high-income countries, China has been ranked among WHO's 10 high-performing countries for maternal and child health.

China's future plan for promoting high-quality maternal and child health services can be concluded as "two improvements," "two eliminations," and "one promotion." "Two improvements" refers to the improvement of the program for ensuring the safety of mothers and infants and the improvement of the program for ensuring the health of children; "two eliminations" refers to the action plans to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis B and eliminate cervical cancer at a faster pace; "one promotion" refers to the action plan to promote breastfeeding for better physical growth and a greater mother-infant bond. Thank you.

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Cover News:

China is already an aging society. Heath demands will inevitably increase with the degree of aging. What will be the plans and measures in response? Thank you.

Wang Haidong:

Thank you for your attention to the aging issue. Every family has an old member and everyone will turn old. An active response to the issue concerns national development and the wellbeing of hundreds of millions of citizens. The aging issue in China has several distinct characteristics: the aging population is big, the process of aging is rapid, and the differences among urban and rural areas and among regions are great, so we face a heavy task in response. The 14th Five-Year Plan period, in particular, will be critical, as China will transit from a mildly aging society to a moderately aging one in this period. The NHC, also the National?Working Commission on?Aging, will continue to earnestly implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on the aging issue and put in place General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on the issue. We will carry out the national response strategy and promote positive views on aging and healthy aging in socio-economic development. A social security system, an old-age care system, and a health support system will be built for senior citizens. Preferential policies will be put in place for them, their legitimate rights and interests will be safeguarded, China's fine tradition of filial piety will be promoted, and the positive role of old people will be brought into play. These efforts will help to ensure that old citizens enjoy the fruit of reform and development and live a healthy and happy life. 

Healthy aging is the most cost-saving and efficient method to deal with the issue of population aging. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), we will focus on the following areas in accordance with the requirements of the 14th Five-Year Plan for healthy aging.

First, we will provide better preventive care for the elderly. We will continue to carry out the Healthy China initiative, especially the health promotion plan for the elderly, and constantly improve their health literacy. We will also carry out four major campaigns on oral health, nutrition improvement, dementia prevention and treatment, and psychological care for the elderly, aiming to make them feel motivated to stay healthy so that they will be less likely to fall ill, get sick later than expected, and be free from serious illnesses.

Second, we will guarantee medical services for the elderly. We will continue to promote the establishment of geriatric medicine departments in general hospitals at or above the secondary level, with the proportion reaching over 60% by 2025. At the same time, we will accelerate the construction of rehabilitation hospitals, nursing hospitals, and elderly-friendly medical institutions, implement various measures to provide convenient medical care services for the elderly, and bring tangible benefits to them.

Third, we will deliver long-term care services for the elderly with disabilities. There are 40 million disabled and partially disabled seniors who are in urgent need of care in our country. Therefore, we should conduct health assessments for the elderly with disabilities and provide them with a whole chain of long-term care services from professional institutions and home-based communities. Notably, we will deliver medical services to communities and homes to effectively ease the burden on the families with disabled seniors and the burden on society as a whole.

Fourth, we will deepen the integration of medical and old-age services, which has gained great popularity among the elderly. For the next step, we will continue to promote the integration of elderly care service resources and medical resources, further expand the supply of integrated medical and old-age services, improve their quality, enlarge the team to provide such services, and establish an integrated health care system for the elderly featuring cooperation among homes, communities, and institutions and the integration of medical and health care. 

Fifth, we will expand efforts to ensure health care for the elderly. We will strengthen the development of geriatric health disciplines, cultivate a relevant talent team, improve standards and specifications in this field, and advance the scientific and technological development and industrial development of geriatric health.

To sum up, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), we will be committed to establishing and improving a comprehensive and coherent elderly health services system covering both urban and rural areas and including health education, preventive health care, disease diagnosis and treatment, rehabilitation nursing, long-term care, and hospice care, so as to effectively enhance the sense of health gain among the elderly. Thank you.

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Tianmu News:

It's known to all that the grassroots have strong demands for TCM. Regarding the "last mile" in delivering TCM services, what "prescriptions" do you have to better serve the people at the grassroots level?

Qin Huaijin:

Thank you for your question. As you mentioned, since TCM services are simple, easy, cheap and effective, they have been well received at the grassroots level. Over the past few years, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine?has made it a top priority to strengthen the capacity of community-level TCM services, continuously promoted the implementation of projects to improve the capacity of community-level TCM services, and adopted various measures to bring quality TCM services to the people at the grassroots level.

First, we have constantly improved the grassroots TCM services network. Since 2012, the central government budget has supported the construction of 36,700 TCM clinics. As of the end of 2020, 85.38% of community health services centers and 80.14% of township health centers across the country have set up TCM clinics. And 99% of community health services centers, 98% of township health centers, 90.6% of community health services stations, and 74.5% of village clinics have TCM service capabilities.

Second, we have continually strengthened building grassroots TCM talent teams. Through targeted training, TCM general practitioner training, the establishment of inheritance studios for well-known and veteran grassroots TCM experts, and smooth grassroots talent career development channels, we have expanded the supply of grassroots talents, encouraged talents to work at the grassroots level, and improved the development environment for grassroots talents. By the end of 2020, there were an average of 0.66 general TCM practitioners per 10,000 residents in urban and rural areas, while 82.4% of community health services stations and 58.92% of village clinics were equipped with at least one doctor who can provide TCM services.

Third, we have widely promoted applicable TCM techniques, also known as TCM therapies, at the grassroots level. Relying on existing TCM medical institutions, all localities have strengthened their capacity for promoting applicable TCM techniques at the grassroots level. A total of 32 provincial-level bases and more than 1,820 county-level bases have been established for the promotion of applicable TCM techniques. By the end of 2020, 86.04% of community health services centers and 81.03% of township health centers were able to provide more than six types of TCM techniques and therapies.

Fourth, we have carried out paired TCM assistance between urban and rural areas. We have coordinated 403 Grade-III hospitals to assist 699 county-level TCM hospitals and continually improved the service capabilities of county-level TCM hospitals by means of stationed on-site assistance, personnel training, and technical guidance.

Going forward, we will conscientiously implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, further leverage the unique advantages of TCM, strengthen building a grassroots talent pool, continuously improve service capabilities, and play a more important role in accelerating the construction of a healthy China and serving the health of the people. Thank you.

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The Beijing News:

We recently read the performance evaluation and monitoring of Grade-III public hospitals issued by the NHC. The data shows that most hospitals have improved, and the gap between regions is narrowing. However, the allocation of resources is still unbalanced and insufficient. What measures has the Chinese government taken to optimize the distribution of medical resources in recent years? Thank you.

Zhu Hongbiao:

Thank you for your question. Promoting the expansion and balanced distribution of high-quality medical resources is a powerful means to solve the problems of insufficient total medical resources and uneven regional distribution. Over the past 10 years, the NHC has further promoted the development of a hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system, taking multiple measures to promote building a new pattern of orderly medical diagnosis and treatment.

First, we have increased government financial investment and increased the total amount of medical resources. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, China allocated 108.96 billion yuan in subsidies to improve capabilities in providing medical services and support. We arranged to invest 72.2 billion yuan in the program to ensure a healthy population and 14.58 billion yuan in the program for public health in terms of disease prevention and control and treatment capacity building in order to strengthen the construction of medical institutions, with a focus on county hospitals. The doctor-visiting rate for common diseases and frequently-occurring diseases in counties exceeded 90%. Compared with 2011, the number of medical institutions nationwide has increased by 8%, the number of beds has increased by 83%, and the number of health personnel has increased by 62%.

Second, we have promoted the expansion and balanced regional distribution of high-quality medical resources. We have started the construction of national medical centers and the country's regional medical centers. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, about 120 provincial-level regional medical centers will be built to improve the diagnosis and treatment level of relevant hospital departments in areas where high-quality medical resources are relatively weak, narrow the gap with the advanced national level, and greatly reduce the number of people seeking medical care across provinces and regions.

Third, we have built a hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system, with a focus on the development of partnerships between medical institutions. We have successively organized pilot projects with a hierarchical approach to diagnosis and treatment in four municipalities and 317 prefecture-level cities, carried out pilot projects for the development of partnerships between medical institutions in 118 cities in 32 provinces, and begun pilot partnerships between medical institutions in 827 counties. In 2021, the number of flexible inter-hospital patient transfers reached 28.8 million, and the structure of flexible inter-hospital patient transfers has been significantly optimized. Accomplishments have been achieved in building the hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system, and the rational distribution of medical resources and the synergy of services have been further enhanced. Thank you!

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Beijing Youth Daily:

In 2021, China secured a complete victory in the fight against poverty. In his introduction, Mr. Li mentioned China's efforts to reduce poverty by improving healthcare services for the poor, a key measure to win the battle against poverty. What specific measures have been taken to prevent people from falling into or relapsing into poverty due to illness? Thank you.

Li Bin:

Thank you. I will go into detail on this issue.

The health system has taken extensive actions to launch the Health Care Program for Poverty Alleviation, guaranteed access to basic medical services for all the rural poor, and helped nearly 10 million households falling into or relapsing into poverty because of illness to shake off poverty, making great contributions to winning the battle against poverty.

First, we have completely remedied the shortfall in medical institutions and workers at the village and township level. We have set the goal and standards of guaranteeing basic medical services. By taking measures such as making medical workers managed by county-level medical institutions work for township-level medical institutions and medical workers employed by county-level medical institutions work for village-level medical institutions, providing mobile medical services at the village level, and stationing medical workers at village-level medical institutions, we have brought about a historic resolution to the problem of some areas lacking medical institutions and doctors at the community level, basically realizing the equitable access to basic medical and health services for rural people.

Second, great improvement has been made in the service capacity of county-level hospitals in areas that have been lifted out of poverty. We have focused on the capacity building of county-level hospitals in our work and organized 1,007 Grade-III urban hospitals to pair up with 1,172 county-level hospitals in 832 counties that have been lifted out of poverty. We have ensured that there is at least one public hospital in each county lifted out of poverty and at least one hospital at Grade II or above in 98% of the counties lifted out of poverty. The gap in the capacity of medical services between urban and rural areas continues to narrow down.

Third, we have tailored measures to households, individuals, and illnesses. We have organized and mobilized over 800,000 community-level medical workers nationwide, got a clear picture of the conditions of the impoverished people with illnesses, and established a dynamic management system for a national health care program for poverty alleviation. We have adopted a category-based approach to medical treatment of poor patients to see that the measures are applied to individuals and targeted to illnesses. By the end of 2020, over 20 million people have received medical treatment.

Fourth, we have made historic progress in the prevention and control of key diseases in key areas. We have prioritized prevention and launched programs for the prevention and treatment of major infectious diseases and endemic diseases, with effective control of the major diseases that have long affected people's health, such as HIV, echinococcosis, and endemic diseases.

Getting out of poverty is not the end but the beginning of a new life and a new journey. We will make comprehensive moves in advancing the development of a healthy countryside, ensure that people do not slip back into poverty in large numbers, and that all people have access to medical and health services at the village and township level, and enhance rural medical and health services so as to improve the health of the rural people. Thank you. 

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Science and Technology Daily:

In the fight against COVID-19, vaccines have been developed from five technological routes, which has not only allowed the Chinese people to use their own vaccines but also provided vaccines as global public goods. What kind of "hard power" has been enhanced by anti-COVID scientific research? And what role has it played in the prevention and control of the pandemic? Thank you.

Li Bin:

Thank you. Since 2008, the NHC has taken the lead in initiating two major science and technology programs for research and development (R&D) of new medicines and the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Tapping into the advantages of the system of pooling national resources and strengths, we have organized national research teams to work together, and made a series of major achievements and breakthroughs in the field of public health. In recent years, through the implementation of the program for R&D of new medicines, the number of Class One new medicines approved for market launch reached 80, 16 times the number before the launch of the program, promoting a leapfrogging development where R&D of new medicines in China have developed from "imitation" to "innovation" and the pharmaceutical industry has grown from "big" to "strong." Through the implementation of the program for the prevention and control of infectious diseases, China has made remarkable progress in major infectious diseases diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and research, thus responding to emerging infectious diseases and outbreaks in an active and effective way.

During the fight against COVID-19, just within a week's time, we identified the novel coronavirus, isolated the coronavirus strain, determined the genome sequence, and shared it with the world, which was spoken highly of by the WHO for "identifying the pathogen in a record-short time." Within two weeks after the outbreak of COVID-19, we promptly developed the high-sensitive and specific novel coronavirus nucleic acid testing technology, playing a crucial role in the early diagnosis and screening of positive COVID-19 cases. We organized top research teams to work on the research and development of vaccines, and initiated the world's first technical standards for high biosafety risk vaccine production workshop, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent safe mass production of billions of COVID-19 vaccines. We organized the preclinical study of medicines and antibody screening, and fast-tracked clinical trials and market approval, promoting the successful launch of neutralizing antibodies, chemical drugs, and traditional Chinese medicines. Medical scientists and researchers have been fighting on the front line of the prevention and control of the pandemic, demonstrating the good spirit of the professional teams of medical science, technology, and education. 

We will continue to implement the Healthy China initiative, the strategy for invigorating China through science and education, and the innovation-driven development strategy, and work relentlessly on making breakthroughs in key technologies and scientific puzzles, to provide strong sci-tech support for the development of public health. Thank you.

Chen Wenjun:

OK. Thank you to all the speakers and friends from the media. Today's briefing is hereby concluded. See you!

Translated and edited by Wang Yanfang, Huang Shan, Yan Bin, Zhou Jing, Qin Qi, Wang Wei, Zhang Rui, Liu Sitong, Xu Kailin, Liu Qiang, He Shan, Liu Jianing, Ma Yujia, Yuan Fang, Wang Qian, Wang Yiming, Yang Xi,Xu Xiaoxuan, Li Huiru, David Ball, Jay Birbeck, and Tom Arnstein. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.