In Yongfeng Village in southwest China's Sichuan Province, village doctor Zhou Lianglun drives a public health service vehicle along narrow rural roads, visiting elderly residents and patients with chronic diseases.

Within a 3-kilometer service radius, he provides check-ups, medication guidance and health monitoring. Health records of local villagers – including medication history and chronic disease management data – are uploaded to a provincial cloud platform, allowing doctors at higher-level hospitals to access the information in real time.

This scene, once a distant goal, is now becoming a common reality across China as the country accelerates the Healthy China initiative.

From vision to action

From the proposal to build a Healthy China by 2035 at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC)  in 2022, to the call to implement a "health-first strategy" at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in 2024, and to policy arrangements included in the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), prioritizing health has gradually evolved from a development vision into systematic policy action.

Building a Healthy China by 2035 is a strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee. At the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on March 6, 2026, the meeting outlined plans in areas such as improving the public health system, building a high-quality and efficient medical service system, and promoting healthier lifestyles. These efforts aim to ensure coordinated progress during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, moving the initiative from vision to tangible results.

Advancing smart healthcare

Technology is playing an increasingly vital role in this transformation. China is accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare services. The proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan call for fully implementing an "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Plus initiative," promoting the application of new technologies across various sectors, including healthcare.

China's National Health Commission said efforts will focus on technological innovation and expanding the use of AI-assisted diagnosis, particularly in grassroots medical institutions.

In remote regions, digital technology is helping bridge geographical gaps. Hospitals in Shanghai, for example, use AI-assisted diagnostic devices and telemedicine platforms to monitor patients remotely and provide medical consultations for residents in distant areas, including Zhongba County in Shigatse, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. This means a patient in a high-altitude village can receive an expert opinion from a top-tier city without making the long journey.

Strengthening equitable healthcare access

Building a Healthy China must follow a people-centered development philosophy and uphold the public welfare nature of basic healthcare, ensuring that all people have access to essential medical services while continuously improving their sense of well-being and security.

Over the past decade, China has steadily expanded its healthcare infrastructure and public health services. According to China's National Health Commission, China has established the world's largest healthcare system, disease prevention network and medical insurance system.

As a result, access to medical services has significantly improved. Lei Haichao, head of China's National Health Commission, said at a press conference on people's livelihood during the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress that more than 90% of Chinese residents can now reach the nearest medical service point within 15 minutes, reflecting significant improvements in healthcare accessibility.

Promoting healthier lifestyles

People's health is not only central to public well-being but also an important indicator of a country's level of modernization. As China continues its drive to build a Healthy China, greater emphasis is being placed on preventive care and the widespread adoption of healthy habits.

Data from the General Administration of Sport of China show that 84.9% of Chinese citizens now meet national physical fitness standards, and 30.9% are rated "good" or above – both figures higher than in previous surveys.

China's average life expectancy has reached 79.25 years, Lei said, with the country aiming to increase it to around 80 years by 2030.

These achievements in physical fitness and life expectancy are tangible outcomes of the Healthy China initiative. By shifting the focus from treatment to prevention and from basic coverage to higher quality, China is laying a solid foundation for a healthier, more vibrant population.

From basic needs to higher quality

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will focus on building a higher-quality and more efficient healthcare system, improving services in grassroots and less-developed regions, and further enhancing people's sense of well-being.

From meeting basic medical needs to pursuing higher-quality healthcare services, China's journey towards building a Healthy China continues to move forward.