Cui Jie gives lessons to the children in the Hohhot Children's Welfare House. Photo: Courtesy of Cui

In the last couple of years, welfares and the care of children has seen progress around China, which not only promotes the social justice and fairness, but also shows the people-centered philosophy of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Children are the future of the country and the hope of the Chinese nation. The growth and wellbeing of children always weigh heavily on the mind of Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The entire society should extend compassion and care toward children, particularly orphans, and those living with physical disabilities, and making concerted efforts to ensure they grow up healthy and with love, Xi said when visiting a welfare home for children in Hohhot in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2014, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

\"A child's first years are the starting point of their growing and development, which significantly impacts their physical and physiological development," Chu Zhaohui, a research fellow at the National Institute of Education Sciences, told the Global Times.

"Truly realizing young children's nurturing and education is a part of the healthy development of a society. It shows the justice and fairness in a society," Chu said. "It is also a remarkable confirmation of the people's position in the society."  

Previously, for instance, in terms of the welfare of preschool children, there was no direct administrative organ, nor enough finance, specialists or even locations, Chu said.

But now some private investment has been made available to aid in such efforts. And in developed cities like Shanghai, the welfare of 0 to 3 year olds has been included in the government's work plan, Chu said. He added that at the current stage, the financial investment into and quality of preschool, care of preschool children still need to be boosted, especially in some less-developed regions, such as the western part of China.

China plans to restructure its child welfare services and complete the reform process by 2025, shifting the focus of the service system to the protection of minors, the Ministry of Civil Affairs announced in May 2021.

The Outline on the Development of Chinese Children (2021-2030) published in September 2021 specified 70 major objectives and 89 measures, focusing on children's health, safety, education, and four other key aspects.

By 2030, the system of laws, regulations, and policies protecting children's rights will have been improved, while the gap in children's development between urban and rural areas, different regions, and groups will have been narrowed significantly, according to the outline for children's development.

Children will enjoy more equal and accessible basic public services and more inclusive welfare by 2030, the document said.