Good health is a basic condition for human existence and social development. The right to health is a multi-faceted human right that fundamentally ensures a life of dignity and the highest attainable level of health for all. In China, a major developing country with more than 1.3 billion people, the government attaches great importance to the development of healthcare. By transforming the development model of the healthcare sector and respecting and protecting the right to health for its people, China has formed its protection model for the right, which works well in the country.
The growth of the healthcare sector has delivered tangible benefits to the Chinese people. The average life expectancy of the Chinese increased from 67.9 years in 1981 to 76.5 years in 2016; maternal mortality ratio reduced from 88.9 per 100 000 live births in 1990 to 19.9 per 100 000 live births in 2016. And from 1981 to 2016, infant mortality rate dropped from 34.7‰ to 7.5‰. The key health indicators of the Chinese are generally better than the average level of middle- and high-income countries, and China has achieved health-related UN Millennium Development Goals ahead of schedule.
Good health is a relentless pursuit of humanity and health promotion is a shared responsibility of the international community. Following the inclusion of good health as a top priority into the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the global health system is in an important period of development. China will continue its active participation in international health activities, expand its engagement in global health governance, and implement health-related SDGs. As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, it will also enhance healthcare cooperation with countries along the routes and increase mutual learning with other countries. As it strives to build a community of shared future for mankind, China stands ready to work together with other countries to shape a better and healthier world.
