China's elderly population untapped

China's elderly population has much potential that can be used to counter the downsides of a rapidly aging society, a health official said on Saturday.

Wang Jianjun, a senior official with the National Health Commission, said that the aging process is drastically changing the country's social structure, as the number of over-60s has reached 200 million and is expected to more than double by the middle of this century.

"Aging affects not only senior citizens, but the entire society as well," he said. "It is not only a matter of supporting the elderly, but an issue of a much wider impact."

But Wang noted that there's huge potential for the country's elderly human resources to be exploited as over half are under 70.

He was speaking at a seminar held by China Research Center on Aging and Development Research Center of the State Council.

The half-day event was attended by almost a hundred scholars and industry observers to discuss aging.

Wang noted that about 110 countries worldwide are now considered aging societies, and that China can learn from the policies a number have implemented, and also learn from the lessons a number have learned.

"If China can manage to turn its aging demography into a new driving force for economic growth, it will be a huge contribution of global significance," he said.

Chinese policymakers have started to consider reforming education centers nationwide, in an effort to equip retirees with modern skill sets in response to the nation's rapidly shrinking labor force.

But China still lacks the necessary legal framework to protect senior citizens' rights of employment.

This means that senior citizens can be turned down for jobs due to age, and are at risk of unequal treatment in terms of pay.