Cycling enthusiasts ride along greenways, community residents dance to square dance tunes, and skateboarders perform "high-difficulty" tricks... "Let's go, let's exercise!" has become an increasingly popular choice for leisure time among more and more people.
National fitness is the foundation and guarantee for all people to enhance their physical strength and lead a healthy life.
In March this year, President Xi Jinping emphasized during a joint meeting of the members from the Chinese Peasants' and Workers' Democratic Party, the China Association for Promoting Democracy, the medical and health sectors, and the social welfare and social security sectors at the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference that promoting a healthy and civilized lifestyle requires further improving public health literacy, launching nationwide fitness programs and patriotic health campaigns, guiding people to maintain balanced diets and strengthen weight management, among other measures-all of which must be supported by practical initiatives and concrete actions.
August 8th marks the 18th National Fitness Day. Recently, the State Council issued the "National Fitness Plan (2026-2030)," explicitly proposing that by 2030, the proportion of people frequently engaging in physical exercise should reach approximately 40%.
The vivid manifestation of the new goals confirms that national fitness is not only a lifestyle but also a crucial force driving the construction of a Healthy China.
From "Where to Work Out" to "Working Out Where"
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The fundamental goal of building a strong sports nation and a healthy China is to enhance the physical fitness of the people and safeguard their health. This is a crucial aspect of comprehensively advancing the modernization of the socialist country."
Since the national fitness initiative was elevated to a national strategy in 2014, China's public fitness services have significantly improved. Various regions have vigorously promoted the construction of "15-minute fitness circles," optimized the layout of venues and facilities, and innovatively utilized space, leading to the addition of numerous sports parks and community fitness centers. Idle spaces, unused corners, riverside areas, old factories, and warehouses have been transformed into vibrant "golden corners and silver edges.".
By the end of 2025, China will have a total of 5.0037 million sports venues, with a per capita sports venue area of 3.11 square meters. By 2030, the per capita sports venue area will reach approximately 4 square meters.
For the general public, the most immediate change is that "where to exercise" no longer poses a dilemma, with more options available for "where to get fit.".
From "able to exercise" to "scientific exercise"
Enhancing physical health is a golden period for adolescents. General Secretary Xi Jinping has always shown great concern for youth physical exercise. He emphasized, "On one hand, we must encourage children to stay active. On the other hand, physical exercise should be approached scientifically, with proper protection and preparation, helping students enjoy the process, improve their physique, develop sound personalities, and strengthen their willpower."
In November 2025, five departments including the Ministry of Education issued guidelines on implementing the Student Physical Fitness Enhancement Plan, requiring "scientific design of exercise loads in physical education classes, recess periods, and extracurricular sports activities" and "strengthening scientific exercise guidance and popularization.".
Laying a Solid Foundation for Physical Health in Building a Healthy China: No One Should Be Left Behind. For the elderly population, community multi-functional fitness venues such as Senior Sports and Health Hubs are being promoted; for key groups like patients with chronic diseases and individuals with disabilities, non-medical sports health interventions are being implemented... China continues to promote scientific fitness guidance to grassroots levels and into households, with differentiated and precision-oriented scientific fitness services gradually taking shape.
