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

Everyday Economic News Reporter | Li Biao, Zhang Hong
Everyday Economic News 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 the future industrial growth of China.

In implementing income-increasing plans for urban and rural residents, what are the channels for increasing income? 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, Vice Chairman of the Population, Resources, and Environment Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, 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 to develop it at the national level? What are the income-increasing 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 provide strong support for China’s modernization.

Income-increasing channels are diverse: first, wages; 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.

Additionally, the income-increasing 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.

Besides wages 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, 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 combining “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 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 integrate “investing in goods” with “investing in people.” Measures for “investing in people” include providing childcare 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, there is a plan 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 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 places three years later, and then, in four years, a peak in university places.

Therefore, the Premier mentioned in the government work report that increasing high school places aligns with China’s educational development and demographic changes, and it embodies the concept of “investing in people”—investment in human resources and national quality improvement. 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 childcare 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’s vast territory and large population require realistic measures. Therefore, the focus should be on implementing existing policies well, rather than just introducing new ones.

NBD: Are current childcare 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 realities. 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 the effective rollout of existing policies.

4

Building a new energy system

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

Regarding focus areas, the new energy industry is already developing well and leading 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。新能源发展面临许多技术挑战，需持续探索创新。例如，新能源电力的长距离输送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，才能确保新能源的高效利用。

目前，我国风电、太阳能及氢能等产业发展迅猛，尤其在新能源基础设施建设方面已走在世界前列。但仍需在创新研发和应用推广等方面持续加力。

图片来源：中国广核集团

NBD: 企业积极参与绿电应用非常重要。根据您的了解，企业在使用绿电方面有哪些实际需求？政策层面可以从哪些方面提供支持？

Hu Zejun: 绿电应用是关键议题。绿电产出后需要高效利用，但其内部应用涉及许多技术难题，亟待攻关，部分问题需要持续解决。因此，一方面要高度重视绿电和绿色能源的利用，另一方面也要脚踏实地、真抓实干，切实解决实际问题。同时，应加强政策协调，形成多方合力，共同破解发展难题。

5

核电及核聚变技术

在中国具有广阔发展空间

NBD: 近年来人工智能快速发展，业内普遍认为能源是AI（人工智能）发展的核心支撑。目前，各国都在积极布局核能和核电产业。对于核电发展以及可控核聚变技术的进展，您怎么看？

Hu Zejun: 核电在中国有很大的发展空间，前景广阔。此前，公众对安全问题的担忧影响了核电设施的布局，主要集中在沿海地区。但据业界判断，中国幅员辽阔，核电发展和应用仍有潜力，我对此持乐观态度。核电作为绿色能源的重要组成部分，发展具有重要意义。核聚变技术的应用也将极大推动核电发展。

水电、太阳能、风电和核电等清洁能源在中国都具有良好的发展前景。核电和核聚变的发展还依赖矿产资源，而中国矿产丰富，具备充足的空间。

NBD: 除了刚才提到的方面，今年您还关注哪些问题？

Hu Zejun: 主要是倡导积极婚育观。

国家的高质量发展需要以高质量的人口发展为支撑，这是现实所需。目前，部分年轻人存在不婚不育的观念，这不利于社会的长远发展。因此，政府工作报告提出倡导积极婚育观，具有重要意义。

不婚不育的原因复杂，包括生育和养育成本高等现实困难，也受到部分传播焦虑情绪的影响。实际上，积极婚育观对个人幸福和国家进步都具有正面价值。

各级政府应高度重视，协同努力，共同推进生育友好型社会建设，积极倡导健康婚育观念。年轻人也应坚定信心，虽然面临压力，但此阶段正值人生奋斗的黄金时期，兼顾事业和家庭，有助于国家发展和个人幸福。