China to strengthen support for employment, healthcare in 2025

China is set to introduce further policies to enhance people's well-being in 2025, including measures to support employment and improve grassroots healthcare services, said an official of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Friday.

According to the data from the NDRC, over 240 billion yuan (about 33 billion U.S. dollars) of government funds has been allocated in 2024 to improve living standards and address key social needs.

To boost social employment, China built more than 400 public training centers nationwide in 2024, with more than two million people receiving vocational skills training throughout the year.

Additionally, over 2,700 work-for-relief projects aimed at providing employment were advanced across the country last year, creating jobs for more than three million people, which effectively increased employment among low-income groups in less developed areas.

To improve medical services, high-level hospitals contributed to the development of the 125 national medical centers across different regions with national support in the year.

Moreover, more than 10 billion yuan (about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars) has been allocated in 2024 to support the creation of integrated medical and health consortia at the county level, with 30,000 hospital wards, each designed for 2 to 3 patients, renovated and upgraded.

In 2025, China will continue to focus on employment support for key groups, including college graduates, veterans, and migrant workers, while also intensifying efforts to enhance grassroots medical services.

"This year, we will continue strengthening efforts to ensure and improve people's livelihood, introducing more measures to benefit the general public and enhance their sense of gain. Employment support programs, along with large-scale vocational training initiatives, will be rolled out, focusing on improving the vocational skills of groups such as college graduates, veterans, and migrant workers. We will also expand work-for-relief policies and increase the scale of labor compensation. Also, we will improve social services for elderly and child care. Healthcare services will be strengthened to ensure that more people can enjoy high-quality medical care close to their homes," said Yuan Da, deputy secretary-general of the NDRC, at a press conference in Beijing.

China to strengthen support for employment, healthcare in 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that the issue of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is a spillover effect of the current conflicts, noting the Strait of Hormuz remains unstable if the war doesn't end.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

The Saudi Arabian foreign minister briefed Wang on the latest developments of the Middle East situation, saying the war in Iran has caused severe impacts on countries in the region and the world at large.

Saudi Arabia attaches importance to China's important role in international affairs, and values high-level strategic cooperation with China, he said, adding that the kingdom is ready to further enhance consultation and coordination with China on platforms including the United Nations, to jointly push for the de-escalation of the situation and an end to the conflict.

Wang noted that the prolonged war in Iran, which has lasted for over a month, has caused enormous casualties and losses, and undermined the security and stability of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, over which China expressed concerns.

Wang said China and Pakistan recently jointly issued a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region, which includes safeguarding the sovereignty and security of the Gulf states, stopping attacks on civilians and non-military targets, and ensuring the security of shipping lanes.

Wang said the top priority is to focus on cessation of hostilities. Actions by the UN Security Council should avoid escalating confrontations and should not legitimize unauthorized military operations; otherwise, it will lead to endless trouble, with small and medium-sized countries being the first to bear the brunt, he added.

Wang noted that China appreciates Saudi Arabia's commitment to promoting peace and ceasefire, and stands ready to work with Saudi Arabia to make efforts for the early restoration of regional peace.

Chinese FM says Strait of Hormuz remains unstable if war doesn't end