Goal set to lower infant mortality rate by 2025

China aims to lower its infant mortality rate to under 5.2 deaths per 1,000 births by 2025, from the current level of 5.4, according to a guideline released by the National Health Commission.

By 2025, it will also strive to reduce the mortality rate of children under the age of 5 from 7.5 to 6.6 deaths per 1,000 births and cut the neonatal mortality rate from 3.4 to 3.1 deaths per 1,000 births, said the guideline.

The commission said China has greatly improved health of children in the past three years. With the introduction of the three-child policy that allows all couples to have up to three children, more efforts are needed to make improvements, it said.

In addition, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding under 6 months should be raised above 50 percent, and the rate of stunting under 6 years old should be capped under 5 percent.

In terms of the child immunization program, the vaccination rate should be maintained above 90 percent, said the guideline.