In response to declining birth rates and an aging demographic, China is accelerating policy measures to establish a “birth-friendly society” by making childcare and pediatric healthcare significantly more accessible and affordable. According to the National Health Commission (NHC), the government is expanding integrated kindergarten and community nursery services close to homes and workplaces to ease the financial burden of child-rearing. Backed by a full-cycle maternal support network, nationwide initiatives now deliver annual tax-free subsidies for infants under three, waive final-year kindergarten tuition fees, and broaden maternity insurance coverage to include flexible workers. As a central objective of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) to stabilize newborn figures and balance long-term population growth, authorities are also shifting the broader healthcare system from basic accessibility toward higher service quality—investing in grassroots pediatric and rehabilitation talent, expanding medical training, and improving physician incentives nationwide.
https://english.news.cn/20260915/e2064e4761884c97beb55547ae4c1fea/c.html