China underscores health care for experts

Chinese authorities are to introduce a premium health care package for experts working in important fields, according to a circular made public on Sunday. Full consideration is required of the health of experts working on the front lines of sectors that are important to the country, said a circular issued by the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. The document further identified the individuals to be covered by the package as those working on sectors of critical importance to national security and lifelines of the national economy, including defense and high-tech industries. Quality healthcare will help them better serve the country, said the circular. It urged party authorities at various levels to establish a sound system for routine medical examination, health management and an illness reporting for the experts. Such people should also have priority in getting medical consultations and treatments, it added. The release of the circular follows the death on Nov. 25 of Luo Yang, head of the production phase of China's new J-15 fighter jet. He suffered a heart attack after spending days observing tests of landing a jet on China's first aircraft carrier. He later died in hospital, aged 51. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, later extended his condolence and called Luo's death "a big loss to the Party as well as to the nation."