University for aged lets Chinese elderly enjoy retired life

JINAN -- Sun Baoping, 64, rushed to the elderly university for his last photography class of the semester, with the latest SLR camera in his hand.

Sun began studying at the elderly university in Anqiu city, East China's Shandong province, eight years ago after he left his job at the local procuratorate.

"I wanted to find some decent hobby and learn a special skill," Sun said he didn't want to "waste his old age."

The Anqiu elderly university offers 30 courses, including dancing, Beijing Opera, vocal music, calligraphy and violin. Each course costs only 100 yuan (about $15.7) a semester. It is not a huge expense compared to the retirement fund of aged people.

There are more than 20 students in Sun's class. After years of study, he has changed his photographic equipment four times, using it to take pictures of flowers, trees, and his grandchild.

"Wherever I go, the camera comes with me." The 64-year-old man could now never leave his new friend.