It sounds like a good deal: You live free of charge in a Beijing apartment, and a Chinese national gets to spend some time living overseas without worrying about their pocketbooks.

If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. That seems to be the message behind a new reciprocal proposal targeting senior citizens. It hopes to get off the ground by the end of next year.

Sun City International Aged People Community's reciprocal metathesis concept will act as an exchange programme for senior citizens to live at Sun City's overseas seniors' residences for specified periods of time.

Other than transportation expenses, participants could enjoy the programme for free, including accommodation, says Zhu Fenbo, general manager of Beijing Sun City Real Estate Exploration Co Ltd.

The company expects to complete a new apartment complex in Vancouver, Canada, by the middle of next year. It has also signed a letter of intent with Hawaii-based aged care institution Arcadia.

Sun City has also set up branches in Hong Kong and New Zealand, where it plans to launch similar communities. Companies in other foreign countries have expressed interest, including Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Macao.

Zhu says the chain metathesis programme will share resources, facilitate senior travel, and explore new lifestyle options for retirees.

"This is actually just such a small part of our efforts to cater to old people," says Zhu, the developer of the largest retirement community in Beijing.

Sun City apartments differ from ordinary housing. The universal design approach makes homes suitable regardless of the inhabitant's changing physical condition.

Houses might have fewer steps or thresholds to trip over. That includes the front door, making it equally welcoming for baby strollers or wheelchairs. Doorways are all at least a metre wide. Lower kitchen cabinets feature drawers instead of shelves, and those under the sink and stovetop can be converted from storage space to knee space for those who prefer to clean and cook while sitting.

An emergency call system also directly links with property managers, the hospital and police to guarantee safety.

Zhu says Sun City also encourages an active lifestyle. The cultural centre acts a social hub for each community. It is like a theatre, dance hall, and library rolled into one. It also features classrooms and a large central square suitable for outdoor parties and other events.

Figures provided by the China National Committee of Ageing (CNCA) on the United Nations' (UN) website prompted Zhu to develop the project. Any country with an over-60 population of 10 per cent is an ageing society under UN standards. China's figure now stands at 11 per cent, or 130 million elderly people.

The CNCA estimates that the country's aged population is likely to reach 284 million in 2025 and 400 million by 2040.

Elderly consumption of everyday goods, entertainment and health services now stands at 600 billion yuan (US$74.07 billion), which is expected to climb to 1 trillion yuan (US$123 billion) by 2010.

Tai Enpu, director of the China Ageing Scientific Research Centre (CASRC), says that demand is likely to diversify along social and economic lines.

Zhu believes that seniors will respond positively to the plans. It is also something that benefits the community as a whole.

"Sun City apartments are affordable, around 6,000 yuan (US$740) per square metre for purchase," Zhu says.

"Rents range from 800 yuan (US$99) to 2,800 yuan (US$346) per month."

Supplementary amenities, such as theatres, hotels and entertainment facilities, will be operated under market-oriented principles to support further development.

Tai says that a large portion of elderly consumption figures arise from the children of senior citizens. Family loyalty is an important traditional Chinese virtue.

Under China's one child policy, single children who are usually burdened with busy careers do not have enough time and energy to take care of their parents, particularly if they are not in top physical condition. Demand has thus boomed for senior care centres and similar institutions.

Traditional Chinese thinking, however, makes some elderly parents reluctant to move to group residences. Sun City's model gives seniors the opportunity to live in their own housing under careful, professional care.

Middle-aged Liu Mei's parents are preparing to retire. Liu has decided to buy a 120-square-metre Sun City apartment for her parents, at 5,500 yaun (US$663) per square metre.

(China Daily 10/08/2005 page1)