In recognition of International Children's Day, primary and secondary schools in Beijing have introduced a 15-minute break period in the fall semester of 2024, extending the previous schedule by 5 minutes.

This policy aims to provide students with additional opportunities for physical activity and recreation, fostering an environment conducive to healthy development.

Zhou Lezhi, a junior high student in Beijing, remarked on the benefits of these breaks, highlighting increased energy and enjoyment from diverse physical activities.

Local governments throughout China are responding to a national call for coordinated development of academic learning and physical exercise among students.

These initiatives are aligned with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ongoing commitment to children's health and holistic development.

President Xi has frequently expressed that nurturing children’s physical capabilities is crucial for the country's future.

During a 2023 visit to Beijing Yuying School, Xi underscored the need for children to attain a balanced development encompassing moral grounding, intellectual ability, physical vigor, and aesthetic sensibility.

He reiterated the importance of sports as a means of enhancing children’s health and physical fitness.

In 2020, President Xi convened a symposium with experts from various sectors to promote an educational philosophy prioritizing health, and called for greater efforts towards integrating cultural learning with physical fitness.

His emphasis on children’s welfare has led to the implementation of multiple policies aimed at enhancing health and education.

The State Council's Outline for the Development of Chinese Children (2021-2030), released in 2021, categorizes children's health as a priority development area.

A revision to the Law on Physical Culture and Sports in 2022 restructured chapters to better reflect national priorities regarding youth fitness, renaming sections to focus on 'National Fitness' and 'Youth and School Sports.'

In June 2023, the central authorities published guidelines to ensure stable financial investment in public education, aimed at creating a sound educational service system.

Furthermore, in 2024, a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Education, the National Health Commission, and the National Disease Control and Prevention Bureau resulted in the Guidance on Myopia Prevention and Control for kindergartens and primary schools, introducing measures to combat rising rates of myopia among children.

Aligned with its 2035 education strategy, the Chinese government is advocating for a minimum of two hours of physical activity each day for primary and secondary students, addressing concerns related to obesity and vision health.

Schools across the nation are actively developing quality physical education programs aimed at enhancing student agility, strength, and endurance, contingent on the belief that the nation's strength is intrinsically linked to the health and vigor of its youth.