Regulation puts care for elderly at top of agenda

As Beijing's top legislature issued a regulation on home-based care for the aged in the municipal two sessions, deputies urged the government to take supporting measures to ensure its effectiveness.

The regulation, which aroused heated discussions among deputies and members of the Beijing committee of the people's congress and political consultative conference, aims to provide services that senior citizens demand and increase their quality of life. It is also the first issued by the local government to tackle its aging population.

By the end of 2014, the population of elderly people in the city aged 65 and over exceeded 3 million, and it is estimated to rise to 4 million by 2020, according to the statement provided by the Municipal People's Congress.