The Chinese government has turned thousands of suggestions and proposals from national lawmakers and political advisors at the country's top political meetings last year into concrete actions, benefiting people's livelihoods and economic development, said a spokesperson of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) on Friday.

On Feb. 28, 2025, the State Council Information Office holds a policy briefing in Beijing on handling suggestions from deputies to the National People's Congress and proposals of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in 2024. [Photo by Liu Jian/China SCIO]

In 2024, government departments reviewed and acted on 8,783 suggestions from deputies of the National People's Congress (NPC) and 4,813 proposals from members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), addressing key public concerns, said Xing Huina, a spokesperson of the SCIO.

More than 5,000 recommendations were adopted by various government departments, leading to over 2,000 policy measures that tackled major economic and social issues, she said.

Senior residents order a meal at Qingshuiwan community canteen in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Aug. 1, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

One standout area is eldercare, a growing priority as China's population ages. Tang Chengpei, vice minister of civil affairs, highlighted how 87 suggestions and proposals from the "two sessions" shaped nationwide efforts to improve eldercare services. "Developing 'near-home' eldercare allows seniors to live comfortably in familiar surroundings, which aligns with both national conditions and public expectations," Tang said.

To this end, the government has expanded the national three-tiered eldercare network, establishing 446 demonstration centers at the county level and developing 367,000 community-based eldercare facilities.

The ministry is committed to improving home-based services, having supported the establishment of 75,000 senior dining centers and the renovation of over 2 million homes to enhance accessibility in recent years, according to Tang. These initiatives aim to ensure seniors receive care at the doorsteps of their own homes.

Efforts to renovate urban villages were also significantly accelerated following suggestions from NPC deputies. Jiang Wanrong, vice minister of housing and urban-rural development, said the input from the deputies "played a crucial role in advancing urban village renovations."

"We worked closely with the deputies who submitted suggestions, conducting on-site inspections and holding multiple discussions to ensure effective implementation," Jiang said. 

At the news briefing, he highlighted key measures taken, including prioritizing projects in areas with urgent public demand and serious safety risks, as well as expanding policy coverage. "We have now extended urban village renovation efforts beyond 35 major cities to all prefecture-level cities," he said. 

In 2024 alone, 1,863 urban village renovation projects were launched, benefiting about 1.37 million households. 

In addition, financial support policies were enhanced last year to address concerns raised by lawmakers, political advisors, and the public in key areas such as employment, healthcare, and education, according to Vice Finance Minister Guo Tingting.

Job seekers attend a job fair held for the 2025 graduates of the Heilongjiang University in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, Dec. 23, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

To stabilize employment, the finance ministry extended reduced unemployment and work injury insurance rates and enhanced job retention and skill improvement subsidies in 2024. 

Healthcare support has also expanded. In 2024, the per capita government subsidy for urban and rural residents' medical insurance increased by 30 yuan (US$4.12) to 670 yuan annually.

From the spring semester of 2024, China raised the national baseline for living subsidies for students from economically difficult families, benefiting around 20 million students who received compulsory education, Guo said. Higher education support has also been strengthened with expanded national scholarships and student loans, benefiting 23 million students, she added.

To support vulnerable groups, the Ministry of Finance has enhanced the dynamic adjustment mechanism for subsistence allowances, ensuring the safety net for those in need, Guo said. By the end of 2024, the average minimum subsistence allowance reached 798 yuan per month in urban areas and 594 yuan in rural areas.

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China last year, a one-time subsidy of 1,000 yuan per person was also distributed to almost 11.54 million people living with difficulties, the vice finance minister said.

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