Apart from its skyrocketing economy, China faces another kind of growth - its aging population.
According to a leading scholar in gerontology, the study of aging, one in every five old people in the world is Chinese.
"By the middle of this century, China will reach the peak of its aging population of people aged 60 and over to 434 million, or 31 percent of the population," said Du Peng, chief of the Institute of Gerontology with Renmin University of China.
He made his remark yesterday in Beijing at the ongoing 8th Asia/Oceania Regional Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, where more than 1,000 experts from home and abroad have gathered to discuss the aging problem.
"The main determining factors of the aging society in China range from a boosted average lifespan, currently at 72 years old nationwide, because of improved life quality and healthcare to the China family planning policy, " explained Yang Hui, a fellow researcher.
But Du said there were challenges that lay ahead because of the country's growing aging population.
China still lacks a comprehensive and efficient national system to support the elderly, especially those who have no income, insurance and children, mostly in the countryside.
Despite existing programs funded by the government to subsidize these seniors, they can hardly make ends meet for even basic survival, given high medical costs.
Starting this March, such people in the countryside are given monthly financial assistance of at least 73 yuan, while their urban counterparts get more.
"But simply giving money is far from enough as some are partly disabled from old age and cannot take care of themselves," Du said.
"The government can pay companies selling household services to help these elderly.”
Traditionally, extended family and children, especially in rural settings, have taken care of older family members.
But that tradition may not last, Du said, and legislation may be needed to guarantee the rights and benefits of old people.
Questions:
1. According to Du Peng, what will be the projected number of seniors 60 years and older in China by 2050?
2. Why does China have so many elderly?
3. Which seniors need the most help and why?
Answers:
1.434 million.
2.The main determining factors are because of improved life quality and healthcare to the China family planning policy.
3.Those living in the countryside need the most help because some don’t have much income, insurance or children.
（英語點(diǎn)津 Celene 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Bernice Chan is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Bernice has written for newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and most recently worked as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producing current affairs shows and documentaries.
