China is to build a childbearing-friendly society to advance high-quality population development, Lei Haichao, head of China's National Health Commission (NHC), said at a press conference in Beijing on Friday.
At the press conference following the conclusion of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Lei said the Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, adopted at the key meeting of the Party, has introduced the roadmap on the national health and population development.
In terms of accelerating the construction of a healthy China, the Recommendations have clearly set out the strategy of putting health first, he said.
"In promoting high quality population development, the Recommendations advocate for fostering a proactive approach towards marriage and childbearing, optimizing childbearing supporting policies and encouraging childbearing, and leveraging the comprehensive functions of measures such as child rearing subsidies and tax deductions for childcare. We will expand pilot subsidy programs for nursing and childcare services and develop the inclusive childcare services and integration of childcare to lessen the burden of families in childbearing, raising and education. We will improve and implement maternity insurance and childbirth leave systems, and enhance health services for women and children," Lei said.
Lei said China will improve the policy mechanisms for the coordinated development of the elderly care industry, optimize age restriction policies in employment and social security, and actively develop elderly human resources and silver economy.
China to build childbearing-friendly society: official
