The Ministry of Justice on Thursday established a fund to offer
legal aid for senior citizens with 2.15 million yuan previously
collected in public donations.
Vice Minister of Justice Hao Chiyong said the fund would be used
to protect the legal rights of the country's growing number of
senior citizens.
Statistics from China National Committee on Aging show China has
144 million people aged above 60, or 11 percent of the population.
It is expected to have 248 million by 2020 and 440 million by
2050.
"The growing number of senior citizens is putting a greater
demand on legal services," said Zhang Tongchun, of the China
National Committee on Aging.
An official with the Legal Aid Center under the Ministry of
Justice said the legal problems of senior citizens mostly involved
property disputes or children's failure to provide support. Those
who were unable to afford litigation and legal fees, could apply
for aid.
Under the 2003 Regulations on Legal Aid, the state should
encourage public donations to legal aid.
(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2006)
