Xi calls for decisive progress in advancing Healthy China Initiative in next five years

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed unswervingly following the path of health development with Chinese characteristics to ensure decisive progress in advancing the Healthy China Initiative during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while attending a joint group meeting during the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body.

The meeting was attended by national political advisors from the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, the Jiusan Society, the sector of medicine and health, and the sector of welfare and social security.

Building a Healthy China by 2035 is a strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee, and the 15th Five-Year Plan period is critical to achieving this goal, Xi said, emphasizing the need for coordinated planning and accelerated implementation.

At the meeting, Xi first extended festive greetings and best wishes to the country's women of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life ahead of the International Women's Day, which falls on Sunday.

He also expressed the hope that all Chinese women will play their due role in getting the new five-year plan off to a good start.

Six political advisors spoke at the meeting. After hearing their remarks, Xi delivered a speech. He noted that over the past year, the CPPCC has faithfully fulfilled its duties and responsibilities, offering advice and suggestions on areas including the 15th Five-Year Plan, thus making new contributions to the development of the cause of the Party and the country.

China is a socialist country, and a developing nation with a huge population and relatively large urban-rural and regional gaps, Xi said, adding that it is essential to proceed from China's actual conditions to advance the Healthy China Initiative.

As the situation evolves, certain specific policies and measures related to health work need to be optimized and improved, Xi noted. He stressed the need to keep a clear mind and maintain strategic resolve on fundamental issues.

Noting that building a healthy China is a systematic undertaking, Xi called for pooling resources and taking effective steps to boost the public health system, build a high-quality and efficient medical services system, and promote healthy and positive lifestyles, among other endeavors.

He underscored the need to deepen reform to improve the mechanisms for coordinated development and governance of medical services, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals.

He called for promoting the application of scientific and technological innovation achievements, and harnessing digital and intelligent technologies to improve the health of the entire nation.

The CPPCC must play its due role as a specialized consultative body, conduct in-depth investigations into and research on relevant theoretical and practical issues, and put forward opinions and suggestions that can help achieve real solutions, Xi said.

Xi calls for decisive progress in advancing Healthy China Initiative in next five years

U.S. stocks ended slightly lower on Monday, with modest declines across major benchmarks as investors monitored rising oil prices amid renewed uncertainty in the Middle East.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.01 percent to 49,442.56. The S and P 500 sank 0.24 percent to 7,109.14. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 0.26 percent to 24,404.39.

Six of the 11 primary S and P 500 sectors closed higher, led by materials and financials with gains of 0.56 percent and 0.34 percent, respectively. Communication services and health care were the main laggards, declining 1.41 percent and 0.93 percent, respectively.

Traders remain cautious about pricing in a worst-case scenario for the ongoing conflict, even as stocks have recovered from near-correction territory to all-time highs in recent weeks.

Oil prices jumped sharply on Monday. West Texas Intermediate crude for May delivery surged 6.87 percent to settle at 89.61 U.S. dollars per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for June delivery gained 5.64 percent to settle at 95.48 dollars per barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

While investors continue to monitor developments in the Middle East, attention is expected to gradually shift back to fundamental factors, according to Scott Welch, chief investment officer at Certuity.

"It is important to remember that the market was not cheap before the war started, and the recent rally has only brought us back slightly past breakeven for the year," he said. "We expect investors will soon once again turn their attention to more fundamental issues -- valuations, earnings potential, inflation, the economy, the labor markets, and Fed policy."

Shares of most of the "Magnificent Seven" technology giants ended lower on Monday. Tesla, which is scheduled to report quarterly results on Wednesday, declined 2.03 percent.

Marvell Technology rose nearly 6 percent to an all-time high after a report over the weekend said the chipmaker was in talks to design new custom artificial intelligence chips for Google.

U.S. stocks close lower as oil prices surge on renewed Mideast tensions