Higher retirement age may help solve pension problem

A top pensions official has voiced support for raising the retirement age, to make the welfare system more sustainable.

Hu Xiaoyi, vice-minister of human resources and social security, said changes are needed to ease the strain placed on pensions by an aging population.

"Last year, the working-age population dropped for the first time, a signal that China needs to make better use of its human resources," he said.