China to guarantee 2 hours of daily physical activity for primary and secondary school students

BEIJING — China will ensure that primary and secondary school students participate in at least two hours of physical activities every day, an education official said Thursday.

Every day, students take one sports class and then one hour of physical exercise, Wang Jiayi, Vice Minister of Education, said at a news conference.

According to him, the measure is aimed at solving common eye and weight problems among students by ensuring they get sufficient exposure to sunlight.

In Beijing, the 10-minute break between classes for compulsory education has been extended to 15 minutes starting this fall.

According to municipal education authorities, the decision is intended to provide teachers and students with sufficient break time between lessons, while at the same time encouraging students to spend time outdoors to further promote their physical and mental well-being.