Interview with Hu Zejun, Standing Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Vice Director of the Population, Resources and Environment Committee: Increasing High School Seats and Expanding Quality Undergraduate Enrollment Align with China's Population Structure Changes

Financial Daily Reporter | Li Biao, Zhang Hong
Financial Daily Editor | Wen Duo

During the National Two Sessions, livelihood issues received widespread attention.

“Investing in People” focuses on soft power. This year, in areas such as residents’ income growth and social security, the government work report proposed many specific measures. “Investing in Goods” emphasizes hard power, with artificial intelligence and new energy development related to China’s future industrial growth.

In implementing urban and rural residents’ income increase plans, what are the channels for income growth? Why is there an emphasis on closely integrating “investing in goods” and “investing in people”? Which regions will prioritize increasing general high school places and expanding high-quality undergraduate admissions? How can efforts be made to stabilize the new birth population? What policy support can be provided?

In response to these questions, Hu Zejun, Vice Chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Deputy Director of the Population, Resources, and Environment Committee, gave an exclusive interview to the Daily Economic News (NBD) at the 2026 National Two Sessions.

1

More focus needed on residents’ income growth

Paying more attention to vulnerable and low-income groups

NBD: This year, the country will formulate and implement plans to increase income for urban and rural residents, which everyone is looking forward to. How should we understand this plan? Why is it necessary to develop it at the national level? What are the income channels available afterward?

Hu Zejun: Developing and implementing plans to increase income for urban and rural residents is of great significance for promoting consumption and smoothing the domestic economic cycle. Improving residents’ income levels can effectively stimulate consumption potential and support China’s modernization.

Income growth channels are diverse: first, wage income; second, property income, such as stabilizing the stock market to generate returns for investors; and third, policies like developing public welfare projects that benefit the people, which can help increase income.

Moreover, the income increase plan should pay more attention to vulnerable and low-income groups, which is also determined by the nature of our socialist country. This year, I am also focusing on property income for families with disabilities.

In addition to wage income and property income from the stock and real estate markets, we can also increase government relief, assistance for difficult groups, pension levels, social insurance benefits, and medical insurance. Although individual subsidies are limited, the overall scale nationwide is considerable and is an effective way to increase residents’ income.

According to the government work report, relevant policies include measures issued at the central level and specific measures formulated by local governments based on the requirements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, combined with local realities.

2

Increasing academic capacity

Aligning with China’s demographic changes

NBD: This year, there is an emphasis on closely integrating “investing in goods” and “investing in people.” How do you understand “investing in people”? Why emphasize the close integration of “investing in goods” and “investing in people”?

Hu Zejun: Combining “investing in goods” with “investing in people” is crucial for advancing China’s modernization. Traditionally, China has focused more on “investing in goods”—such as infrastructure, housing, and roads—which has played an important role in modernization.

Currently, the central government proposes to combine “investing in goods” with “investing in people.” Measures for “investing in people” include providing parental subsidies, improving healthcare coverage, and increasing childcare places.

Integrating “investing in goods” and “investing in people” can better promote high-quality and sustainable economic development.

NBD: This year, there is a plan to increase general high school places and expand high-quality undergraduate admissions. In your opinion, which regions and schools should these additional places prioritize to maximize social benefits?

Hu Zejun: Relevant departments will conduct precise calculations. For example, increasing high school places aims to adapt to China’s demographic trends.

By the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan, demand for junior high school places will peak, followed by a peak in high school demand three years later, and then a peak in university demand four years afterward.

Therefore, the Premier mentioned in the government work report that increasing high school places aligns with China’s educational development and demographic changes. It also embodies the concept of “investing in people”—the investment in educational capacity is fundamentally an investment in human resources and the improvement of national quality. This is a pragmatic and effective policy measure.

3

Stabilizing the new birth population

Key lies in policy implementation

NBD: The draft outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan mentions efforts to stabilize the new birth population. Last year, various regions implemented parental subsidies. From which other angles can efforts be made?

Hu Zejun: The Party Central Committee, the State Council, and local governments have introduced many relevant policies. The key now is to ensure effective implementation. China is vast, with a large population, so policies must be realistic and feasible. It is essential to focus on practical implementation rather than just issuing new policies.

NBD: Are current parental subsidies sufficient? Should they be increased?

Hu Zejun: It’s important to view this with a developmental perspective. Given China’s current development level and economic strength, the current subsidy levels are not easy to achieve and are aligned with national conditions. The focus should be on effective policy implementation, promoting quality childbirth and fostering a birth-friendly society. As China’s economy and society continue to develop, future investments may increase. But at present, the priority remains on implementing existing policies effectively.

4

Building a new energy system

Focusing on innovation and application promotion

NBD: This year, accelerating the construction of a new energy system is a priority. Where do you think efforts should be concentrated?

Hu Zejun: China attaches great importance to new energy development, which is also a concrete action to fulfill international carbon reduction commitments. This goal not only enhances people’s sense of gain and builds a good ecological environment but also demonstrates China’s responsibility as a major country, with positive significance.

Currently, the new energy industry in China is developing well and is at the forefront globally. However, as a developing country, China still needs to focus on:

1. Innovation-driven development. New energy development must rely on technological and scientific innovation.

2. Promoting application. The costs of new energy are relatively high, so further cost reduction and expansion of application are necessary.

3. Overcoming technical challenges. New energy faces many technical difficulties, requiring continuous innovation. For example, long-distance transmission of wind and solar power demands high grid capacity—natural conditions limit wind and solar resources, and grid stability is critical. Continuous innovation is needed to solve these technical issues and ensure efficient utilization of new energy.

China’s wind, solar, and hydrogen energy industries are growing rapidly, especially in infrastructure, and are leading the world. Still, ongoing efforts in R&D and application promotion are necessary.

NBD: Enterprises need to actively participate in green electricity use. Based on your understanding, what are the practical needs of enterprises in using green electricity? How can policies support this?

Hu Zejun: Green electricity application is a crucial issue. After production, it must be efficiently utilized, but internal application involves many aspects. Technical challenges must be addressed, and some issues require ongoing solutions. Therefore, we should pay close attention to green energy use, work steadily, and solve practical problems. Additionally, policy coordination should be strengthened to form joint efforts to overcome development difficulties.

5

Nuclear power and controlled nuclear fusion technology

Room for development in China

NBD: Recently, artificial intelligence has developed rapidly, and the industry generally believes that energy is the core support for AI development. Countries are actively developing nuclear energy and nuclear power industries. What is your view on nuclear power development and progress in controlled nuclear fusion technology?

Hu Zejun: Nuclear power has significant development potential in China. Previously, public safety concerns led to nuclear facilities mainly being located along the coast. But given China’s vast territory, nuclear power still has room for growth, and I am optimistic. As an important part of green energy, nuclear power’s development is highly significant. The progress of nuclear fusion technology is also crucial, and China has space for development in this area.

Hydropower, solar, wind, and nuclear energy all have good prospects in China. The development of nuclear power and fusion depends on mineral resources, and China’s vast land and rich mineral resources provide ample space for growth.

NBD: Besides these, what other issues are you paying attention to this year?

Hu Zejun: Mainly advocating for a positive view on marriage and childbirth.

High-quality development in the country requires high-quality population growth, which is a practical necessity. Currently, some young people hold views of not marrying or having children, which is not conducive to long-term social development. Therefore, the government work report emphasizes advocating a positive attitude toward marriage and childbirth, which is very important.

The reasons for not marrying or having children are complex, including high costs of childbirth and upbringing, as well as anxiety caused by some media and public opinion. In fact, a positive attitude toward marriage and childbirth benefits personal happiness and national progress.

All levels of government should attach great importance, work together, and promote the construction of a birth-friendly society, actively advocating healthy marriage and childbirth concepts. Young people should also be confident; despite the pressures, this is a golden period of life. Balancing career and family during this stage benefits both national development and personal happiness.