China allocates 66.7 billion yuan for employment support in 2024

China has allocated 66.7 billion yuan (about 9.4 billion U.S. dollars) this year to support employment as the country steadily enhances its ability to secure livelihoods.

At a press conference in Beijing on Saturday, China's Minister of Finance, Lan Fo'an, detailed the central government's fiscal measures to strengthen support for key areas like youth employment and education.

"Since the beginning of this year, the central government has allocated 66.7 billion yuan (about 9.4 billion U.S. dollars) for employment support, helping local areas assist key groups like college graduates and improve vocational training. Besides, from January to September, education spending nationwide has exceeded 3 trillion yuan (about 425 billion U.S. dollars)," said Lan.

The country also faces challenges associated with an aging population. China's population aged 60 and above reached nearly 297 million in 2023, accounting for 21.1 percent of the total.

Lan stressed that the government is committed to enhancing services for seniors, including an increase in basic pension. Already, subsidies for residents' basic medical insurance have been improved.

"Basic pensions for retirees will be increased by 3 percent nationwide, greatly raising the minimum standard for basic pensions for both urban and rural residents. The annual fiscal subsidy for basic public health services will rise to 94 yuan (about 13 U.S. dollars) per person, and the annual subsidy for basic medical insurance for urban and rural residents will increase to 670 yuan (about 95 U.S. dollars) per person," said the minister.

China allocates 66.7 billion yuan for employment support in 2024

China allocates 66.7 billion yuan for employment support in 2024

China allocates 66.7 billion yuan for employment support in 2024

China allocates 66.7 billion yuan for employment support in 2024

China allocates 66.7 billion yuan for employment support in 2024

A Chinese medical team left China on Saturday heading for Ethiopia, where they will offer technological assistance and support to talent development in the country's healthcare sector over the next 12 months.

The 14-member team includes experts in clinical medicine, medical technology, hospital administration, and logistical support.

Mainly selected from the First Hospital Affiliated to the Army Medical University (AMU) in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, the team members possess extensive experience in medical practice and management.

During the mission, the experts will help the country's military hospitals to enhance medical service capacity, promote the application of new technologies, strengthen hospital operations, train professional personnel, and support the establishment of healthcare management systems, thereby contributing to the improvement of local medical services.

"I feel deeply honored by this mission, and I'm fully aware of the responsibility it carries. We are committed to carrying forward the spirit of China's overseas medical teams, which features tenacity, dedication, commitment to saving lives, and love that knows no borders, and will apply our skills for the benefit of the Ethiopian military and civilians," said team member Guo Hao from the AMU.

Since 2015, the AMU hospital has dispatched 11 batches totaling more than 100 medical experts to Ethiopia.

Their efforts gave strong support to achieving notable progress in medical facility construction, and technological and talent development in the country's healthcare sector.

China sends 11th group of medical experts to Ethiopia