Country's elderly care services improving

China's elderly care services have seen "notable progress" after a nationwide inspection last year in which more than 40,000 nursing homes were requested to "make improvements", the minister of civil affairs said on Thursday.

Huang Shuxian said at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office that several other moves also contributed to the progress, including further opening up of the elderly care market to private capital.

"The moves will be continued to meet the needs of seniors," he said.