Xi calls for advancements in healthcare and education

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits national political advisors from education, medical and health sectors attending a joint group meeting at the fourth session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing, March 6, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi listened to their speeches and talked about China's hard-won socioeconomic achievements amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He commended medical workers and educators for their contributions in the fight against the virus.

The country's fight against the pandemic has proved again that prevention is the most economical and effective strategy in protecting people's health, he said. He called for drawing upon experiences and lessons to work out more precise and effective preventive measures to enhance epidemic control.

Xi said people's health is the foundation of a civilization's progress and an important indicator of a nation's prosperity.

Efforts should be made to accelerate the implementation of the Healthy China Initiative, with an emphasis on major diseases and problems that matter to people's health, he said.

He urged reforms to improve disease prevention and control systems, and major public health risk assessments, judgments and decision-making mechanisms.