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Members of Beijing's Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have suggested converting idle holiday resorts into elderly homes, Beijing News reported on Wednesday. Yesterday, Beijing civil affairs bureau announced new policies will be introduced to encourage and guide the reconstruction.
State-owned enterprises, including Shougang Group, have provided company land and planned to build 32 elderly-care institutions.
★ New policies to guide the reconstruction
Following the decrease of state-owned construction land in the city, some Beijing CPPCC members have suggested integrating resources to promote welfare for the elderly.
Yan Wenhui, one of the CPPCC members, said that according to research, there are over a hundred holiday resorts and training centers under the city government, most of which are idle, running a deficit and taking up government subsidies.
Beijing civil affairs bureau said that it was guiding several institutions through the reconstruction process.
The basis for such reconstruction can be found in relevant policies. In 2013, the government issued a document on developing the senior service industry, in which it said, "Encourage reconstruction of corporate buildings and commercial facilities, as well as other social resources to promote services for the elderly."
★ Demonstration pilots in some state-owned enterprises
Considering the current conditions of service for the elderly, Beijing proposed a development strategy that emphasized the large institutions' role in the campaign.
Beijing will build more homes for the elderly using new land, and corporate land, as well as residential areas, said Beijing civil affairs bureau. According to the plan, the number of beds in retirement homes will reach 160,000 by 2020, enough for four percent of all senior citizens.
Meanwhile, Beijing is piloting national reforms on services for the elderly, providing support in land and taxes in the Chaoyang, Xicheng and Mentougou districts.
Until June 20, 96 projects had been applied for by 16 districts and counties, and 62.15 million yuan ($10 million) was allocated to the 23 projects that were at least 80 percent completed. In addition, state-owned enterprises, including Shougang Group and Capital Agribusiness Group, offered corporate land for 32 new elderly-care institutions.
Regarding facilities, Beijing aims to realize full coverage of community elderly-care facilities by 2020. Services such as daily care, medical care, nursing and psychological counseling will be available for 96 percent of senior citizens.
