Govt looks to harness older people's potential

Authorities are challenging negative stereotypes of seniors so their experience can make a contribution to the public good. Wang Xiaoyu reports.

From giving directions to tourists to mediating quarrels between neighbors, 64-year-old Liu Xiaoxia has been volunteering in Beijing's Xicheng district for more than two decades. Despite her advancing years, Liu's passion for community work is undimmed.

This year, she trained as a city volunteer for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in February. During the event, she helped visitors and provided advice at a station near the Shichahai scenic area, home to one of the capital's most popular ice rinks.

"For example, when a child felt hungry after skating for a while, I offered hot water to help the parents prepare milk powder, and when some seniors complained about feeling chilly outside, I invited them to take a break inside," she said.

"I am very happy that as an older person, I can still make a contribution. Even though I'm getting old, I believe a small helpful gesture from me can make a difference."

Liu's positive approach is emblematic of a growing number of Chinese seniors as the country's population ages rapidly.

Driven by low birthrates and longer life spans, people age 60 and older accounted for 18.9 percent of the population nationwide last year, a rise of 5.64 percentage points from 2010, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics in January.

During a recent academic conference in Beijing, Lu Jiehua, a professor of demographics at Peking University, said that even though some provinces have become "moderately aged", China's overall average level of aging is mild compared with some developed countries, such as Japan and South Korea.

He added that one feature of the nation's aging trend is the high proportion of "relatively young" seniors age 60 to 69. "It is important to take advantage of this feature while guaranteeing the rights and quality of life of all seniors," he said.