Storyline: China has further promoted the development of its medical care system during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), with improvement in accessibility, quality and efficiency of medical services. China's average life expectancy reached 79 years by the end of 2024, 1.1 years higher than that in 2020, achieving ahead of schedule the goal of raising it by about one year set out in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). The increase in average life expectancy is inseparable from the development of the healthcare system. Within the system, a crucial indicator representing healthcare service capacity is the number of practicing physicians (assistant physicians) per 1,000 people, which has risen from 2.9 in 2020 to 3.61 in 2024, achieving the goal of 3.2 set by 14th Five-Year Plan ahead of schedule. "If we compare the number of practicing physicians (assistant physicians) in China with that of OECD countries (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), we are now quite close. Their average level is about 3.74. From the perspective of service capacity, this represents substantial support by health workforce," said Wang Xiufeng, a researcher with the Institute of Medical Information under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. China has advanced effective integration of county-wide medical resources across the country, enabling grassroots medical institutions to provide diagnosis and treatment for common and frequently-reoccurring diseases. Meanwhile, the country has also promoted contracted family doctor services, so that residents can seek medical help at doorstep. "Now, over 90 percent of residents can reach the nearest medical center within 15 minutes, so it's much easier for people to see doctors and get treatment," Wang said. China has built 27 national medical centers across 13 categories and 125 national medical centers across different regions over the past five years, in efforts to balance the development of medical services among regions. "During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the accessibility, equity, quality, and efficiency of medical services have all seen tremendous improvements," Wang said. Shotlist: FILE: China - Date Unknown: 1. Aerial shot of cityscape 2. Various of seniors engaging in sporting activities, dancing 3. Nurses, patients in hospital 4. Various of doctors checking x-ray films, examining patients Beijing, China - Recent: 5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wang Xiufeng, researcher, Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (starting with shot 4/ending with shot 6): "If we compare the number of active physicians (physician assistants) in China with that of OECD countries (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), we are now quite close. Their average level is about 3.74. From the perspective of service capacity, this represents substantial support by health workforce." FILE: China - Date Unknown: 6. Various of doctors examining patients, medics working at outpatient pharmacy, surgery in progress 7. Various of community hospital, patients, medics, family doctor examining patient Beijing, China - Recent: 8. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wang Xiufeng, researcher, Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (starting with shot 7/ending with shot 9): "Now, over 90 percent of residents can reach the nearest medical center within 15 minutes, so it's much easier for people to see doctors and get treatment." FILE: China - Date Unknown: 9. Various of medics at work, signs, medical facilities Beijing, China - Recent: 10. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wang Xiufeng, researcher, Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (ending with shot 11): "During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the accessibility, equity, quality, and efficiency of medical services have all seen tremendous improvements." FILE: China - Date Unknown: 11. Various of medics at work. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]