Great progress has been made in the Chinese health care system, with people as healthy as those of the medium-developed countries.

Health Minister Gao Qiang made the remarks when addressing the Shanghai International Forum on Healthy City Sunday.

Gao said the Chinese government has attached great importance on the people's health, stressing the paramount status of the people's health and the lifetime security.

He said the lifetime expectancy for Chinese people is now at 72 years, a great advance in contrast to that in early 1950s of only 35 years old. Meanwhile, health care for women and children has also been improved, with the realization of low birth rate and death rate.

Gao admitted that the Chinese health enterprise is still behind the development of national economy and other enterprises. However, China is making efforts to shorten the gap, building up a comparably comprehensive medical services system, suited for the situation of the country and matching with the health demands of the people.

(CRI November 21, 2005)