The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) China Office and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Beijing Office have jointly hosted a national consultative meeting on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in Beijing from 20-21 August, with support from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) China Office, China Sexology Association, and China Family Planning Association.

The main purpose of the meeting was to review the draft national CSE technical guidance developed by Beijing Normal University. 

In January 2018, the UN issued a revised edition of the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education, which enables national authorities to design comprehensive curricula that will have a positive impact on young people's health and well-being. It helps stakeholders design, deliver and evaluate sexuality education projects to young people. 

Building on the UN’s joint efforts, UNFPA China is supporting Beijing Normal University to develop a National Guidance on Comprehensive Sexuality Education in China. A national technical committee has been established and numerous consultations with stakeholders have been held.

In China, there have been increasing attentions on adolescents and youth’s sexual and reproductive health. The government is attaching great importance to sexuality education and has highlighted it in several policy documents, including the Law of the People's Republic of China on Maternal and Infant Health Care, Law of the People's Republic of China for the Protection of Minors, China National Program for Child Development (2011-2020), and the Healthy China 2030 Plan.

“Based on our 40 years of work in China, we know that when it comes to sexual and reproductive health and rights, China has its own context. That is why UNFPA is supporting the development of the national CSE technical guidance to ensure it guides the high-quality implementation of sexuality education programs in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and China's national plans,” said Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, UNFPA China Representative.

The national guidance will be finalized and disseminated by early 2020. 

More than 80 stakeholders, including researchers, NGO workers, teachers, policy makers and media representatives participated in the discussion.