Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to firmly follow a path with Chinese characteristics in developing the country's health programs, to secure decisive progress in the Healthy China Initiative over the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

Xi, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a national meeting on health held in Beijing on October 12 and 13.

Xi stressed that people's health is a key benchmark of a nation's prosperity and strength.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the Party has made a major decision to launch the Healthy China Initiative, promoting the establishment of the world's largest systems of medical services, traditional medicine, disease prevention and control, and healthcare security, said Xi, noting that the country has achieved historic accomplishments and made all-round progress in healthcare.

In 2025, China's average life expectancy rose to 79.25 years, while its major health indicators remained at the leading position among upper-middle-income countries and countries with a population exceeding 100 million.

Xi said the goal is to build a Healthy China, where health services are ensured in a balanced, inclusive, high-quality and efficient manner.

Xi stressed that people's health should be factored into all policies and reflected in every aspect of work.

Prevention, he said, is the most cost-effective and efficient approach to protecting public health. He called for greater emphasis on foundational health work, addressing risks at their source, and encouraging the public to adopt a sound understanding of health and take an active role in managing their own well-being.

He also called for a stronger disease prevention and control system to guard against large-scale outbreaks.

Xi underscored the need to optimize the functions and structural layout of medical institutions so that people can access medical care close to home and receive effective treatment.

China has supported the development of 125 regional medical centers in areas where high-quality medical resources are relatively scarce.

Notably, more than 90 percent of residents can access nearby medical and healthcare services within 15 minutes, while primary-level medical institutions account for over 50 percent of all medical visits nationwide.

He also urged efforts to improve mechanisms for the preservation and innovative development of traditional Chinese medicine, strengthen basic research and original innovation in the health sector, and enhance the patient experience.

Xi stressed that coordinating the development and regulation of medical services, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals should be a key priority in reforming China's medical and healthcare systems.

He also called for efforts to train and develop a sufficient number of highly qualified medical professionals.

Efforts will also be made to actively promote the building of a global community of health for all, work with other countries to address major challenges in the health sector, and continuously improve the health and well-being of people around the world, he said.

Other Chinese leaders Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi attended the event.

In his concluding remarks, Li Qiang said Xi's important speech provided guidance for advancing China's health sector.

Li called for better coordination between improvements in public health and economic and social development, and urged deeper reform, innovation, opening up and cooperation, stronger prevention and control of major diseases, further development of a tiered diagnosis and treatment system, and greater use of science and technology to improve health services.