China unveils 2025-2030 plan to promote healthy environments

BEIJING -- China has released an action plan for the 2025-2030 period aimed at improving environmental conditions to safeguard public health.

Jointly issued by China's National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control (NADPC) and several other departments, the plan outlines 16 concrete measures to create greener, safer and more livable environments.

In recent years, China has made notable progress in building a healthy environment, with advances in waste sorting and recycling, strengthened measures to curb air pollution, and improved emergency response capabilities for public health incidents. However, intensifying global climate change is posing new challenges.

The proposed measures include encouraging balanced diets and regular exercise among the public, improving community waste-sorting systems, and expanding and maintaining green spaces and walking trails. The plan also calls for better policy integration across sectors, as well as strengthened monitoring, risk assessment, early warning and public health advisories.

By 2030, the plan targets two key outcomes: continuous improvement in drinking water quality and an increase in public awareness of the environment and health.

"The concept of environmental health should be embedded into all policy systems," an NADPC official said. The administration will work closely with relevant departments to enhance coordination, strengthen public communication, and guide local authorities in advancing healthy environment initiatives based on local conditions.