Advisors propose social security network for the elderly

BEIJING  -- Chinese political advisors are proposing the country complete its social security network and make it accessible to all elderly people, who are under the impulsion of the global financial turmoil.

The proposal, by the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, says that the country's economic development has been seriously affected  by the financial crisis, which has in turn had a negative impact on the country's aging population.

The proposal will be submitted to the second session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which will convene on Tuesday.

China entered an aging society in 1999, about five years before its population hit 1.3 billion in early 2005. As of the end of 2008, the country has a 160 million population aged 60 years or above, accounting for 12 percent of the whole population.

The growing number of grey hairs has increased the social security burden in China, where pensions are still low and rest homes are under-funded.

The country should encourage more social communities to provide service for senior citizens and seek a new way to develop the service industry for the elderly, which means a major channel for increasing employment, the proposal says.

It also suggests a community-backed family aged-care network, with involvement of community volunteers.

Traditionally, old people are looked after at home by their children, but this is becoming less possible as economic development has increased mobility of people and the single-child generation are usually occupied with work.

• 家電下鄉(xiāng)Home appliances going to the countryside
• 中小型企業(yè) SMEs
• 教育公平 Equal Access to Education

• “兩會”熱詞 Popular words
• "三農"Issues of agriculture, farmer and rural area
• 農村留守人口 Rural Left-Behind Population
• 提案 proposal
• 大三通 Three Direct Links
• more

• Crisis 'can bring China, US closer'
• China's growth significant for world economy
• Lawmakers highlight 'Scientific Outlook'
• Food law a healthy start
• Feeling the pinch of sagging prices
• more

• World media keeps close watch on 'two sessions'
• World stock markets rise amid China stimulus hopes
• Bosses urged to help with labor stability
• CPPCC to address economy, stimulus
• more

• Corruption top issue for public
• China adopts Food Safety Law
• China's economic growth in 2009
• more