Beijing launches action plan to improve residents’ health_English_Xinhua .

The Beijing Ministry of Health just announced a great 10-year public health plan, with an ultimate goal of extending life expectancy from 81.2 to 82 years, as well as a host of other goals. Check out the link above for more details.

Their goals are ones that everyone, including expats, should strive for. They include:

• Reducing smoking
• Reducing salt
• Exercising more
• Reducing obesity for adults and children

Another astonishing figure was the stat that 57% of Beijing men smoke, while only 5% of women do. Another good reason to always pick a female taxi driver! (they drive safer, as well…)