Expert urges all to view aging population as a sign of success

A top expert called for people to view aging as a positive potential instead of burden as China is facing a growing number of senior residents.

"China is addressing the issue of population aging in a positive way, considering it as an achievement of economic and social development," said Du Peng, vice-president of Renmin University of China and a leading population expert.

It is agreed by the international community that an aging population is a mark of a society's accomplishment of economic and social development.

Du made the remarks at a press salon organized by All-China Journalists Association in Beijing on Wednesday.

People are becoming healthier and live longer, demonstrating the society's development.

China has formulated policies and measures to cope with the demographic shift. These include implementing a comprehensive pension system, promoting active aging and healthy lifestyles, supporting elderly care services, and encouraging social participation of older adults. It is to ensure the well-being and quality of life of the elderly population while maintaining social and economic stability, he said.

China has a population where about nearly 300 million people are older than 60. It is expected that the number of senior citizens over 60 will reach 500 million by 2050.