Lead image for China steps up nationwide fitness campaign to promote public health.
Every morning, 71-year-old Ren Daqing heads to a community clinic near his home in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, not for medicine, but for exercise.
Heart disease once made Ren wary of physical activity. Today, he runs on a treadmill under the supervision of fitness coaches, with medical staff nearby to monitor his condition. It is part of a growing model across China that combines structured exercise with healthcare services.
"I used to worry that exercise might put my health at risk," Ren said. "Now I know that with professional guidance, exercise can actually help me become healthier."
Community-based health and fitness centers are emerging across China. They combine exercise equipment with tools to monitor physical indicators, conduct cardiopulmonary and strength assessments, and design exercise plans tailored to individual needs.
National health initiatives
Ren's story reflects a broader transformation taking place across China. From football pitches echoing with cheers to neighborhood squares filled with dancing, regular exercise has become part of everyday life for many people. This shift stems from a long-term national strategy that places people's well-being at the heart of sports development.
In 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated this people-centered approach while meeting China's delegation to the Paris Olympic Games. He stressed that the country would continue to promote the deeper integration of national fitness and national health initiatives, advancing the goals of building China into a sporting powerhouse and a healthy nation.
In 2014, China elevated nationwide fitness to a national strategy. The "Healthy China 2030" blueprint was released in 2016, while successive five-year national fitness plans have continued to guide the development of public sports.