CHINA: More Than 132 Million Chinese Are Over 60

BEIJING (THE PEOPLE'S DAILY), March 18, 2002:

The number of Chinese citizens aged over 60 has exceeded 132 million upon entering the 21st century and meanwhile an annual growth of 3.2 percent is to be reported. This severe situation of population aging and related social problems brought upon have aroused great concern of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

Countrywide concern and support have been extended from various social circles for doing a good job of the work of senior citizens in China following a sound development of the Chinese economy.

This has even been included in the country's 10th Five-year Plan issued by the State Council in 2001. Acting on this, concerned departments at various levels have done great work over the years in furthering the welfare of old Chinese, their life as retirees, their education, culture, etc. Persistent efforts are also being reported for old citizens' work in China this year.

Vice Premier Calls for Better Services for the Elderly Measures should be taken to improve services for China's 100 million senior citizens, said Vice Premier Li Lanqing at a national working meeting on aging held February 7 in Beijing.

Li, also director of the National Work Committee on Aging (NWCA), made the comment at the fourth session of the NWCA, saying that elderly people have an important role in Chinese society. Respect for the elderly has a long tradition in China.

By Li Yan, PD Online Staff People's Daily Online

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/