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

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-increasing plans, what channels are available? 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 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, a Standing Committee member 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

Pay 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 for the state to develop such a plan? What channels for income growth are 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 provide strong support for Chinese-style modernization.

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

Moreover, the income-increasing plan should pay more attention to the income issues of 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.

Besides 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 levels. Although individual subsidies from these channels are limited, their overall scale nationwide is considerable and effective for residents’ income growth.

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

Increase in academic places

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” and “investing in people” is crucial for advancing Chinese-style 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.

The close integration of “investing in goods” and “investing in people” can better promote high-quality and sustainable economic development.

NBD: This year, the plan is to increase general high school places and expand quality undergraduate admissions. In your view, which regions and schools should be prioritized for these increased places to maximize social benefits?

Hu Zejun: Relevant departments will conduct precise calculations. For example, increasing high school places aims to adapt to the changing demographic trend.

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

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

3

Stabilizing the new birth population

Key lies in effective policy implementation

NBD: The “14th Five-Year Plan” draft emphasizes 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 base, so policies must be realistic and feasible. Therefore, the focus should be on implementing existing policies well, rather than just introducing new ones.

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 key is to ensure policies are effectively implemented, promote quality marriage and childbirth, and build a fertility-friendly society. As China’s economy and society continue to develop, future investments may increase further. But at present, the priority remains on effectively implementing existing policies.

4

Building a new energy system

Focus on innovation and application promotion

NBD: This year, efforts will accelerate the construction of a new energy system. In your opinion, what areas still need strengthening?

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 helps build a good ecological environment but also demonstrates China’s responsibility as a major country, with positive significance.

Regarding focus areas, the current new energy industry has shown good development momentum and is at the forefront globally. However, as a developing country, China still needs to continue efforts in the following areas:

1.坚持创新驱动。新能源的发展必须以技术创新和科技创新为基础，紧抓创新这一关键环节。

2.推动推广应用。新能源成本较高，需进一步降低成本，扩大应用范围。

3.攻克技术难题。新能源发展面临诸多技术挑战，如远距离输电对电网能力要求极高——风电、太阳能等受自然条件制约较大，对电网稳定运行要求极高。因此，需要不断创新，解决远距离输送的技术难题，确保新能源的高效利用。

目前，我国风电、太阳能和氢能产业发展迅速，基础设施建设已走在世界前列，但仍需在创新研发和应用推广方面持续努力。

图片来源：中国广核集团

NBD: Green electricity needs active corporate participation. Based on your understanding, what are the practical needs of enterprises in using green electricity? How can policies support this?

Hu Zejun: The application of green electricity is a critical issue. After production, green electricity must be efficiently utilized, but its internal application involves many aspects. The technical challenges mentioned earlier need to be addressed, and some issues require ongoing solutions. Therefore, we must 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 nuclear fusion technology

Have ample development space in China

NBD: In recent years, artificial intelligence has developed rapidly, and the industry generally believes that energy is the core support for AI development. Countries are actively deploying 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 concerns about safety limited nuclear plant deployment mainly to coastal areas. But given China’s vast territory, nuclear power still has room for growth, and I am optimistic. As a clean energy source, nuclear power is important. Its development largely depends on the application of controlled nuclear fusion, which also has space in China.

Hydropower, solar, wind, and nuclear energy all have good prospects. 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 promoting a positive attitude toward marriage and childbirth, which is very important.

The causes of not marrying or having children are complex, involving high costs of childbirth and child-rearing, as well as anxiety caused by some media and public opinion. In fact, a positive view of marriage and childbirth has positive value for individual happiness and national progress.

All levels of government should attach great importance, work together, and actively promote the construction of a fertility-friendly society, 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.