The Committee on Population, Resources and Environment of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held a symposium on Oct 19 to study and implement the guiding principles of the national health meeting, which was held in Beijing on Oct 12-13.

Shen Yueyue, vice-chairwoman of the CPPCC National Committee, attended the symposium and delivered a speech.

Shen said that China's health sector has made historic achievements and all-round progress since the start of the new era. She stressed the need to ensure that the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is exercised throughout all aspects and stages of building a Healthy China.

Shen called on CPPCC members to focus on the key tasks for advancing the Healthy China initiative during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), fulfill their duties in line with the CPPCC's role and responsibilities, and draw on their expertise.

She urged them to address key challenges and the pressing concerns of the public through in-depth research, analysis, and consultation, and offer policy recommendations to improve people's health and well-being and promote high-quality population development.

She also stressed the importance of strengthening guidance and services, promoting sound health awareness, and organizing activities such as public health education and free medical consultations under the CPPCC National Committee's "serving the people" initiative.

These efforts will help build broad consensus and pool strength for advancing the Healthy China initiative, she added.

Participants agreed that they would align their work with the strategy of prioritizing health development, conduct in-depth research and offer targeted recommendations on advancing the Healthy China initiative and promoting high-quality population development.

They also pledged to leverage the CPPCC's role as a specialized consultative body, pool its collective wisdom and draw on members' expertise to help ensure that the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee are effectively implemented and produce tangible results.

Che Jun, chairman of the Committee on Population, Resources and Environment of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the symposium.