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

By the end of 2024, the average life expectancy of the Chinese has 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 the 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. ■