Speed up health reform

A silver lining around the deepening global crisis lies in the opportunity for Chinese policy-makers to accelerate social reforms crucial to reforming the country's growth model.

In this sense, the progress that China achieved in improving health care last year should justify more government efforts to press ahead with overdue healthcare reform.

A more inclusive and affordable healthcare system is badly needed to cushion the Chinese people against all future economic uncertainties. Moreover, government expenditure on healthcare will, in itself, give a huge boost to related industries and thus contribute to an early economic recovery.