(Adopted at the 21st Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Eight National People's Congress on August 29, 1996 and promulgated by Order No. 73 of the President of the People's Republic of China on August 29, 1996)

Contents

Chapter I    General Provisions

Chapter II   Maintenance and Support by Families

Chapter III   Social Security

Chapter IV   Participation in Social Development

Chapter V    Legal Responsibility

Chapter VI   Supplementary Provisions

Chapter I

General Provisions

Article 1 This Law is enacted in accordance with the Constitution to protect the lawful rights and interests of the elderly, develop the undertakings related to the elderly   and promote the Chinese people's virtues of respecting and providing for the elderly.

Article 2 The elderly referred to in this Law are citizens at or above the age of 60.

Article 3 The State and society shall take measures to improve the social security system regarding the elderly and gradually better the conditions that contribute toward their well-being, good health and participation in social development, so that they are provided for, have access to  necessary medical care, have opportunities for their own pursuits and studies and enjoy themselves.

Article 4 The State protects the lawful rights and interests of the elderly.

The elderly have the right to obtain material assistance from the State and society and enjoy the achievements in social development.

Discriminating against, insulting, maltreating or forsaking the elderly is forbidden.

Article 5 The people's governments at various levels shall incorporate the undertakings related to the elderly into the plans for national economic and social development, gradually increase the investment in these undertakings and encourage all sectors of society to make such investment, so that these undertakings and the economy and society develop in a coordinated manner.

The State Council and the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall take organizational measures to coordinate the efforts made by relevant departments to protect the rights and interests of the elderly. The specific institutions for the purpose shall be prescribed by the State Council and the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

Article 6 It is the duty of the entire society to protect the lawful rights and interests of the elderly.

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