BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to firmly follow a path with Chinese characteristics in developing the country’s health programs, to secure decisive progress in the Healthy China Initiative over the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a national meeting on health held in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday.

Xi stressed that people’s health is a key benchmark of a nation’s prosperity and strength.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the Party has made a major decision to launch the Healthy China Initiative, promoting the establishment of the world’s largest systems of medical services, traditional medicine, disease prevention and control, and healthcare security, said Xi, noting that the country has achieved historic accomplishments and made all-round progress in healthcare.

In 2025, China’s average life expectancy rose to 79.25 years, while its major health indicators remained at the leading position among upper-middle-income countries and countries with a population exceeding 100 million.

Xi said the goal is to build a Healthy China, where health services are ensured in a balanced, inclusive, high-quality and efficient manner.

Xi stressed that people’s health should be factored into all policies and reflected in every aspect of work.

Prevention, he said, is the most cost-effective and efficient approach to protecting public health. He called for greater emphasis on foundational health work, addressing risks at their source, and encouraging the public to adopt a sound understanding of health and take an active role in managing their own well-being.

He also called for a stronger disease prevention and control system to guard against large-scale outbreaks.

Xi underscored the need to optimize the functions and structural layout of medical institutions so that people can access medical care close to home and receive effective treatment.

China has supported the development of 125 regional medical centers in areas where high-quality medical resources are relatively scarce.

Notably, more than 90 percent of residents can access nearby medical and healthcare services within 15 minutes, while primary-level medical institutions account for over 50 percent of all medical visits nationwide.

He also urged efforts to improve mechanisms for the preservation and innovative development of traditional Chinese medicine, strengthen basic research and original innovation in the health sector, and enhance the patient experience.

Xi stressed that coordinating the development and regulation of medical services, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals should be a key priority in reforming China’s medical and healthcare systems.

He also called for efforts to train and develop a sufficient number of highly qualified medical professionals.

Efforts will also be made to actively promote the building of a global community of health for all, work with other countries to address major challenges in the health sector, and continuously improve the health and well-being of people around the world, he said.

Other Chinese leaders Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi attended the event.

In his concluding remarks, Li Qiang said Xi’s important speech provided guidance for advancing China’s health sector.

Li called for better coordination between improvements in public health and economic and social development, and urged deeper reform, innovation, opening up and cooperation, stronger prevention and control of major diseases, further development of a tiered diagnosis and treatment system, and greater use of science and technology to improve health services. ■

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech during a national meeting on health in Beijing, capital of China. The meeting was held in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday. Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivers concluding remarks at a national meeting on health held in Beijing, capital of China. The meeting was held here on Monday and Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

L’armée camerounaise a annoncé l’envoi de renforts à Kotserehe, dans le département du Mayo-Sava (région de l’Extrême-Nord), à la suite d’une attaque de Boko Haram qui a coûté la vie à deux personnes — dont le chef du village — et entraîné la destruction de dizaines d’habitations.

Le général de brigade Joseph Nouma, commandant de la 4e Région militaire interarmées (RMIA4), s’est rendu sur les lieux le 20 octobre 2026, accompagné de hauts responsables de l’armée et de la gendarmerie, ainsi que du préfet du département du Mayo-Sava (basé à Mora).

L’attaque a eu lieu dans la nuit du 17 octobre. Selon les informations communiquées par les autorités locales, près de 30 maisons ont été incendiées et du bétail a été dérobé au cours de l’assaut.

Lors d’une réunion de travail avec les responsables locaux, la délégation militaire a réaffirmé la détermination du gouvernement à protéger les populations civiles et à lutter contre l’insurrection de Boko Haram. Des renforts ont été décidés sur place afin de consolider la sécurité dans la zone.

Le maire de Mora, Chetima Hamidou, a plaidé pour un renforcement des mesures de sécurité, exhortant les autorités à consolider les postes militaires de Kotserehe, Malika et Godjimdele.

Il a également préconisé la réhabilitation des postes de Kassa, Guirbala et Kangaleri, ainsi que la création de nouveaux dispositifs de sécurité à Igawa Doulo et Gazla.

Le maire s’était rendu auprès des victimes le 19 octobre pour leur distribuer des biens de première nécessité, notamment des tissus, des nattes, des seaux, des récipients et des sandales.

Le général Nouma, qui a pris le commandement de la 4e Région militaire interarmées le 14 août 2026, a souligné que cette visite témoignait de la proximité de l’armée avec les communautés touchées et de son engagement dans la lutte contre le terrorisme.

Cette attaque met en lumière les défis sécuritaires persistants dans la région de l’Extrême-Nord du Cameroun, où Boko Haram mène régulièrement des incursions, ciblant les populations civiles et détruisant des biens, ce qui aggrave l’insécurité et les préoccupations humanitaires.