China calls for action on migrant autism

In celebration of World Autism Day on Friday, China's permanent representative to the UN said that autism must be tackled within the broader context of the UN's health policy as designated by the 2030 agenda of sustainable development.

Governments should establish mechanisms to foster cooperation between countries to implement health and disability goals related to the 2030 agenda, and more financial resources must be invested to improve medical services and healthcare in remote and underdeveloped areas because "these are coincidentally areas where migration is more likely to take place," said Liu Jieyi at the UN headquarters.

He made his remarks at a high-level meeting on migrants with autism and developmental disabilities.

"It is important to stress the role of reform and innovation in the overall public health system, and also in the technology and medicine involved to address the challenge of more cases of autism throughout the world," Liu said.

It is also important to stress prevention, shifting the perception of health from "a treatment-centered approach to a health-centered approach," he said.

China has emphasized public health as a part of its development strategy because the country is "guided by the concept that prosperity cannot be achieved without health," Liu said.

China is working to promote healthy lifestyles, optimize health services, improve the healthcare system, build a healthy environment, and develop its health industries, he added.

On autism, China is implementing a program called Colorful Dream to help children with disabilities, providing financial assistance and rehabilitation services to children with autism, particularly those from impoverished and migrant worker families.

"In China children with autism are fondly called 'children of stars,'" Liu said.

"China will continue to work with other countries to support autism treatment and rehabilitation and also raise global awareness and strengthen cooperation so that children of the stars from all over the world will enjoy a life as fruitful of all other kids, and that will certainly be a much better world," he said.

amyhe@chinadailyusa.com