General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on the afternoon of March 6 visited national political advisors from the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, the Jiusan Society, the sector of medicine and health, and the sector of welfare and social security, who are attending the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Xi took part in their joint group meeting and listened to their opinions and suggestions.

Xi emphasized that, as a strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee, the successful building of Healthy China by 2035 will see a crucial stage during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), so there must be coordinated planning and accelerated efforts to achieve decisive progress.

Ahead of International Women's Day on March 8, Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, extended festive greetings and best wishes to female lawmakers, political advisors, and staff members participating in the annual sessions of China's top legislature and top political advisory body, as well as to women of all ethnic groups and from all sectors across the Chinese mainland, female compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region, and the Taiwan region, as well as to overseas Chinese women.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, and Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, attended the visit and discussion.

At the joint group meeting, six political advisors, namely Wang Lu, Ma Xiuzhen, Lu Ke, Jiang Jiandong, Basang Dolma, and Liu Qifang, delivered remarks on respective topics, including implementing a health-first development strategy, upgrading primary-level medical services, strengthening breakthroughs in materials technology, advancing innovative drug research and development, improving the prevention and treatment of altitude sickness, and promoting the development of public welfare and charitable undertakings.

After hearing their remarks, Xi delivered an important speech. He said that he was glad to discuss with them and listen to their views and suggestions. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, he extended sincere greetings to the political advisors present, as well as to members from the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, the Jiusan Society, the CPPCC sectors of medicine and health, and of welfare and social security, and to all other CPPCC members.

Xi pointed out that over the past year, the CPPCC has earnestly performed its duties, offered advice and suggestions on matters such as drafting the 15th Five-Year Plan, and made new contributions to the development of the cause of the Party and the country. Both organizations at all levels and the broad membership of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party and the Jiusan Society have actively participated in the deliberation and administration of state affairs and carried out social services, achieving new progress in their work. People from the medical and health community and the welfare and social security sector have actively engaged in the dynamic practice of building a Healthy China and improving people's wellbeing, demonstrating new accomplishments.

Xi emphasized that China is a socialist country, and a developing country with a huge population and still large gaps between urban and rural areas and among different regions. To build a Healthy China, it is imperative to proceed from China's national conditions, remain firmly committed to the path of healthcare development with Chinese characteristics, and resolutely implement the guidelines for medical and health work in the new era. As the situation evolves, some specific policies and measures for medical and health work need to be refined and improved, but on fundamental issues, it is a must to remain clear-headed and maintain strategic resolve.

Building a Healthy China is a systematic project, Xi remarked. In the face of the people's growing and diverse healthcare needs, it is imperative to focus on major priorities and center closely on the tasks that benefit a wide range of people and have a significant impact on the overall situation. Human power and other resources should be concentrated, and effective measures be taken to improve the public health system, build up a quality and efficient medical service system, and promote healthy and positive lifestyles, so as to continuously achieve new progress.

Xi stressed that a working pattern with joint efforts from the Party and the government under the unified leadership of Party committees must be improved. Greater efforts should be made to improve the framework of policies and institutions for the promotion of health, to provide a strong guarantee for advancing the Healthy China Initiative. Efforts must be made to further deepen reform and improve the mechanism for coordinated development and governance of medical services, health insurance, and pharmaceuticals. The transformation and application of scientific and technological innovation should be promoted, and the digital and intelligent development of national health initiatives should be advanced.

Xi also called for efforts to strengthen Party building in the medical and health sectors, inspire medical workers' motivation, initiative and creativity, cultivate more talents, promote fine medical ethics and professional conduct among medical workers, and develop an atmosphere of integrity within the sector.

Advancing the Healthy China Initiative requires joint efforts from the whole society, Xi noted. He called on the CPPCC to give play to its role as a specialized consultative body, conduct in-depth research and studies focusing on relevant theoretical and practical issues, and put forward suggestions and solutions that are practical and feasible. He also urged members of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party and the Jiusan Society, and personnel in the CPPCC sectors of medicine and health, and of welfare and social security, to leverage their professional strengths and contribute their wisdom and endeavor.

Shi Taifeng, He Wei, Wu Weihua, Shao Hong, Wang Dongfeng, and Yang Zhen, among others, were present at the joint group meeting.