Former minister says China's national healthcare system has to be affordable

With a population of more than 1.3 billion, China, still a developing country, cannot afford excessive welfare programs, particularly in terms of health care provision, a senior legislator said on Saturday.

Chen Zhu, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and former minister of health, said, "Even in some Western countries, health insurance policies in the context of an excessive welfare program have become seriously strained and can hardly be sustained.