In line with the 2025 China's Government Work Report's mention of policies to boost birth rates, the Global Times learned that several lawmakers and political advisors have raised proposals about maternity leave, subsidies born by both employers and government, and fertility protection. Chen Jing, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, has proposed establishing a maternity leave system through legislation.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and external relations on the sidelines of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and external relations on the sidelines of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2025.
Several National People's Congress (NPC) deputies and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee members told the Global Times on Thursday that they had proposed further enhancing the China Travel experience for foreign visitors, emphasizing not only attracting first-time visitors but also turning them into repeat tourists. The number of inbound trips made by foreigners to China under the country's visa-free policies in 2024 doubled compared with the previous year, the Xinhua News Agency reported in January.
Computer graphic image of China's Mars sample return mission (Photo/CCTV) A lawmaker from China's leading space contractor, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC), revealed on Thursday on the sidelines of the ongoing two sessions that China aims to carry out a Mars sample return mission around 2030. Meanwhile, a political adviser from CASC told the Global Times that this year is expected to see a variety of reusable rockets being unveiled or making their maiden flights, including one of the country's new-generation manned launch vehicle series.
