Lei Haichao, head of China's National Health Commission, speaks at a press conference held by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on the guiding principles from the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee on Oct. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- China aims to increase the average life expectancy of its people to around 80 years through efforts planned for a five-year period from 2026 to 2030, announced the country's top health official on Friday.

By the end of 2024, the average life expectancy of the Chinese people had reached 79 years -- an extraordinary achievement among developing countries, said Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission.

According to Lei, China has established the world's largest health service system, disease prevention and control system, and medical insurance system over the past five years, marking remarkable progress in the country's healthcare and population development.

China has also weathered a once-in-a-century pandemic and continuously improved its people's average life expectancy during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the official said.

"Based on the international development trend, the comprehensive national strength and work foundation of China, we hope to raise the average life expectancy of the Chinese population by one year in five years," the official added.

By the end of 2024, the number of elderly people aged 60 and above in China had reached 310.31 million, accounting for 22 percent of the country's total population.

On Thursday, the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee concluded its fourth plenary session, where participants deliberated and adopted the Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development.

The document requires enhancing both life expectancy and the overall health of the people.

Introducing work plans for the next five years, Lei vowed to improve elderly care by optimizing basic elderly care services, advancing long-term care insurance, upgrading support for elderly people with disabilities or dementia, and expanding rehabilitation and palliative care services.

According to statistics released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs this October, by the end of last year, the country also had 406,000 elderly care institutions and facilities with nearly 8 million beds, while various financial subsidies had benefited 49.45 million seniors.

In order to help Chinese people live healthier, higher-quality lives with longer life expectancy, Lei noted that disease prevention will be a key focus of China's health sector.

"Efforts will be made to advance family doctor services, to boost health knowledge promotion, and to effectively control weight, blood pressure, blood lipids and blood glucose, so that every individual can be master of their own health," Lei said.

He added that medical institutions will explore effective ways to treat chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

"Additionally, we will strengthen primary healthcare systems and promote mobile health services and telemedicine to ensure people have access to convenient, efficient, and relatively high-quality medical care close to home," Lei said. ■