China will continue to strengthen inclusive, fundamental, and safety-net livelihood initiatives during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, according to a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on September 23.
Li Changguan, Minister of Civil Affairs, stated at the "15th Five-Year Plan Launch" themed press conference that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the country's safety-net livelihood security was comprehensively reinforced. Routine protection was provided for the basic living needs of 39.36 million recipients of subsistence allowances, 4.88 million people in extreme poverty, and 570,000 orphans and children de facto without guardians. The "two subsidies" benefited 11.98 million individuals with disabilities facing hardship and 16.75 million people with severe disabilities.
Elderly care service standards have been consistently upgraded, with the basic elderly care service system now fully established. Over 53 million senior citizens have received elderly care subsidies, and the number of elderly care service institutions and facilities has reached 395,000. Specialized social service capabilities have steadily improved, with marriage registration now available nationwide, significantly enhancing convenience for the public. Efforts to address shortcomings in public welfare funeral facilities have been accelerated, making arrangements for the deceased more reassuring and considerate for families.
Related social governance has advanced with innovation, as over 830,000 social organizations play an active role in economic and social development. The "Famous Villages Initiative" has been deeply implemented, standardizing the naming of 927,000 rural geographical names.
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, four key priority areas will be pursued. First, enhancing the well-being of the elderly. The national strategy to actively address population aging will be thoroughly implemented, with improvements to the three-tier urban and rural elderly care service network. Efforts will focus on expanding nursing-type bed capacity in elderly care institutions, aiming to raise its proportion to 73%. Care services for disabled and cognitively impaired seniors will be strengthened, rural elderly care services will be developed according to local conditions, and service quality and safety will be ensured, so that all seniors can access basic elderly care. Additionally, the silver economy will be vigorously developed, social participation among the elderly will be promoted, their rights and interests will be better protected, and an age-friendly society will be built.
Second, improving social assistance and social welfare levels. Institutional mechanisms for the scientific and precise identification of social assistance recipients will be refined, with enhanced dynamic monitoring and tiered, categorized assistance and support. The welfare security system for children in difficulty will be improved, care and protection for migrant and left-behind children will be strengthened, and children's welfare institutions will be encouraged to open their services to the public, allowing more children in need to benefit from professional institutional resources and easing family burdens. The social security system and care service framework for persons with disabilities will be enhanced, with greater support for residential care of those with severe disabilities and accelerated development of the assistive devices industry.
Third, optimizing social affairs management and services. The nationwide marriage registration service will be consolidated and improved, marriage customs reform will be deepened, and civilized and healthy marriage etiquette will be promoted. The public welfare nature of the funeral and interment industry will be reinforced through the establishment of a basic funeral service system and a cross-departmental comprehensive supervision mechanism. Continued efforts will support the construction of public welfare funeral facilities and the promotion of civilized funeral practices.
Fourth, strengthening and innovating social governance. Legal and standardized management of geographical names will be enhanced, with support for the preservation and inheritance of historical and cultural heritage related to administrative divisions and place names. The structural layout of social organizations will be optimized, supervision mechanisms will be improved, and their positive role in society will be better guided. The development of charitable causes will be promoted and regulated, with the continued implementation of the "Sunshine Charity" project to expand the scale of charity and bolster the credibility of charitable organizations.