Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Thursday called for more efforts to care about the disabled and the aged in a bid to improve their living quality.

Hui made the remarks during a visit to a three-day international exhibition on equipment used by disabled and aged people.

China's disabled population now exceeds 83 million and the number of citizens at or above the age of 60 has grown to 150 million.

The vice premier urged enterprises to make innovation, upgrade quality and develop new products for the disabled and the aged. He also called on the public to show more respect and provide necessary assistance for aged and disabled people.

The expo, organized by the China Disabled Persons' Federation and the General Office of the National Aging Committee, has attracted more than 180 manufacturers from 18 countries and regions, according to statistics released by the organizing committee.

(Xinhua News Agency September 11, 2009)