Importance of care for elderly

The authorities are accelerating the building of an all-inclusive social security network and paying more attention to the psychological needs of the elderly, as the country prepares to meet the challenges of an aging society.

China has set up the world's largest social security network covering more than 90 percent of its population. Along with the ever-growing basic pension provided retirees, it has also advanced reform of its dual-track pension system that was originally designed for civil servants and other groups.

This, together with the family doctors' contracted services for the elderly provided by some local governments, as well as the paid leave some provinces offer employees who are an only child should one of their parents be admitted to hospital, is an indication of the greater attention being paid to the well-being of senior citizens.