People's sense of happiness inseparable from good health

China sees people's health as an important symbol of national prosperity. That is why the report delivered to the opening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing on Sunday regards "Healthy China" as an important aspect of the country's overall development goal in 2035.

The report says that the country will make the protection of people's health a priority development goal, improve the health promotion policy, and make a comprehensive plan for building a healthy China. A series of policy measures outlined in the report — from optimizing the strategy of population development and implementing the national strategy of actively coping with an aging society to deepening the reform of the medical and health system and paying more attention to people's mental health — fully demonstrate the people-centered development philosophy.

It is China's belief that the country's economic development should hinge on people's health and that the people's sense of gain, happiness and security are inseparable from their good health. So, the top authorities have rolled out a series of health and poverty alleviation projects since the Party's 18th National Congress in 2012, lifting nearly 10 million impoverished families out of poverty, increasing Chinese people's average life expectancy from 74.8 years to 78.2 years, and making civilized, healthy, green and environmentally friendly lifestyles increasingly popular.

Regarding the main health indicators, China now ranks among the top of middle- and high-income countries. People's eating habits have changed from eating enough and eating well to eating healthy. To meet people's expectations of affordable treatment and less likelihood of falling ill, the country has continuously deepened reform of its medical and health system. From the reemergence of blue skies to the effective curbing of heavy smog and haze, the country's cities and rural areas have become more livable. From adhering to the "people first, life first" philosophy to protecting people's life and health at all costs, a public health protection network has been tightly built nationwide.

The most important indicator of modernization is people's health. With the continuous improvement in China's economic and social development and people's living standards, people will pay more attention to the quality of life and health. Giving priority to people's health in national development will lead to a system that ensures people's health and lays the foundation for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.