Adhering to the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of Three Represents,implementing the concept of scientific development and the significant strategic thinking of constructing a harmonious socialist society,fully enhancing population and family planning work in the new era and comprehensively addressing China’s population issues,IEC on Population and family planning needs to be enhanced.The formulation of "publicity and education as guide and forerunner" strategy was issued by Li Bin,Director of Population and Family Planning Commission of China in 2007.She stressed "Develop keen awareness of the importance and imperativeness of fully enhancing the population and family planning work in China".The formulation of "publicity and education as guide and forerunner" strategy,"meta-point project" for better population and family planning work in the future,is the inevitable outcome of deferring to objective laws of ideological and political work,ideological and ethical progress,population and family planning work,as well as summing up positive and negative experience and lessons,directed by the Scientific Outlook on Development.This article discusses the "why,what and how" of the "guide and forerunner" strategy.