BEIJING, May 11 -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong on Saturday extended festive greetings to all nurses in the country ahead of International Nurses Day, which falls on Sunday.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a visit to Beijing Children's Hospital in the country's capital.

He called on all nurses to actively participate in the advancement of the Healthy China Initiative, improve their professional skills and conduct, and work wholeheartedly to protect people's health and well-being.

Liu noted that nursing work plays a unique role in the building of a healthy China and the country's response to major emergencies. With joint efforts from all parties, China has seen substantial development in nursing work, with its nursing workforce growing and nursing capabilities improving.

With the improvement in people's living standards in China and the aging of the population, the public's need for quality nursing services continues to grow, said Liu. He underscored the need to improve the cultivation of professional workers and to enhance the nursing services for the elderly, children and patients with severe illnesses.

He also noted the need to improve the incentive and payment mechanism for nurses, improve their working environment, and expand their career prospects.