Quick progress in the field of epidemic prevention ranked fifth on the selected list for engineering attainment, successes in family planning 11th, and advancement in surgery, medical science and technology 21st.
Nationwide epidemic prevention programmes have helped increase the life expectancy of the people from 34 years before 1950 to 70 years in 1997.
China's population in the 20th century increased from 426 million in 1901 to 1.2 billion in 2000, a three-fold increase. Population growth in the country once aroused concern and worry.
In the past 20 years, family planning programmes have been carried out with remarkable success. China's population is expected to stabilize at 1.6 billion in 2040. This would be a great contribution to the future sustainability of development of the nation and a boon to the welfare of coming generations.
(China Daily November 26, 2002)
