China's aging population is growing rapidly. The latest projection is that in 2050 one out of three Chinese will be over 60 years old! This issue, not surprisingly, has generated heated debate in the annual session of the top advisory body, the CPPCC.

 

China is likely to grow old before it grows rich.

That's the concern of some CPPCC members attending the body's annual sessions in Beijing.

According to the latest figures, China currently has 20 million people over 80 years of age. That number will quadruple in 40 years. And by 2050, 400 million Chinese will be above 60 years old which means one in every four Chinese will belong to that category.

The United Nations maintains that a country with more than ten percent of its population over 60 is an aging society.

However, targeted services lag far behind.

In most Chinese cities, senior citizens' homes are few and far between. The existing ones can't provide senior residents with sufficient activities. That's why for most Chinese, when they grow old, they stay with their children or spouses.

Yang Chao, CPPCC member, said, "Senior citizens' homes should include recreational centers, hospitals and senior citizens' universities...where they can draw, read books, play ball-games, swim and form discussion groups. It should be a place to empower the senior citizens again."

Some CPPCC members suggest that more of the national budget should go towards serving China's aging population, namely by building more infrastructure and improve service in senior citizens' homes. They say the government should encourage insurance companies to be more involved in providing services for senior citizens. They can work with neighborhood committees across China to provide a tailored service.

Yang said, "Commercial organizations should play a bigger role. The government should also have some favorable policies such as tax reduction for senior citizens."

CPPCC members say for those senior citizens who prefer to stay in their own homes, relevant services should be expanded. Besides regular food delivery and medical services, psychological counseling should also be provided.