BEIJING -- The number of registered nurses in China reached 3.5 million at the end of 2016, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) announced Wednesday.

Guo Yanhong, senior official at NHFPC, released the figure at a press conference ahead of International Nurses Day, which falls on May 12.

Registered nurses make up 42 percent of the country's healthcare professionals, Guo said, adding that China will launch a plan to retain nursing talent and motivate workers.

NHFPC will continue to provide improved nursing services to cope with the aging population and the increasing need for rehabilitation and hospital care, Guo said.