Beijing, [24 Oct 2025] – The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Office in China and the National Committee for the Prevention of Blindness today jointly held the WHO SPECS 2030 Global Initiative and China Action Plan launch meeting, during which the China National Action Plan for Refractive Error was officially released. The event marks an important milestone in China’s efforts to advance vision health for all and contribute to global eye health. It marks an important milestone in China’s efforts to enhance vision health for all and contribute to global eye health.
Refractive error - including myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia - remains the leading cause of vision impairment globally, affecting people of all ages. While the solution is simple and cost-effective - a pair of properly fitted spectacles - millions still lack access. Today, only about 36% of people with distance vision impairment due to refractive error receive the correction they need.
To close this gap, WHO Member States endorsed the first-ever global target on refractive error at the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly in 2021, calling for a 40-percentage point increase in effective coverage of refractive error (eREC) by 2030. To support countries in achieving this target, WHO launched SPECS 2030, a global call to action to ensure everyone who needs spectacles can access them. The initiative focuses on five key areas: improving Services, building capacity of Personnel, advancing public Education, reducing Costs, and strengthening Surveillance.
China has made remarkable progress in improving eye health in recent years. The country eliminated trachoma as a public health problem and expanded cataract services nationwide. Meanwhile, effective refractive error correction coverage continues to riseand more than 95% of children under age of 6 now receive annual eye and vision screening, contributing to a gradual decline in myopia rates among children and adolescents.
These achievements have laid a strong foundation for the next phase: ensuring that refractive error services are accessible, affordable, and of high quality for everyone, especially children and the elderly.
Through the China National Action Plan for Refractive Error, the country will strengthen service delivery and capacity for refractive care, improve access to affordable spectacles, and promote public awareness and education on eye health. The plan also aims to improve data monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress and identify gaps — supporting evidence-based policymaking and resource allocation.
The launch of the national plan not only marks a major step toward universal access to vision care in China, but also demonstrates China’s commitment to contributing to global efforts under WHO SPECS 2030.
“As someone who wears glasses myself, I am reminded every day how much a simple pair of spectacles can change one’s life,” said Mr Martin Taylor, WHO Representative to China. “China’s leadership in launching SPECS 2030 and developing a comprehensive national plan shows how countries can translate global targets into action — improving vision, opportunity, and quality of life for millions.”
“Eye health is an essential component of overall health, directly affecting people’s quality of life and well-being,” said Professor Wang Ningli, Chairperson of the National Committee for the Prevention of Blindness. “Through this Action Plan, China will further raise public awareness on the importance of proper refractive error correction, strengthen professional training, and ensure equitable access to high-quality eye health services for all.”
Clear vision transforms lives. It allows children to learn better, adults to work more productively, and older people to live with confidence and dignity. It empowers people to reach their full potential and contributes to healthier, more inclusive, and more prosperous societies.
The launch of WHO SPECS 2030 in China marks not only a national milestone but also a global signal of leadership and solidarity - reaffirming that access to good vision is not only a matter of health, but also a driver of equity, education, and development.