China outlines strategy to address population aging

China will advance a proactive national strategy in response to population aging, according to the government work report submitted on Thursday to the country's top legislature for deliberation.

The report prioritizes elderly care services in rural areas. Minimum basic old-age benefits for rural and non-working urban residents will be raised, and the country's unified national management system for basic old-age insurance funds will be scaled up.

The government will work to increase the supply of public-interest elderly care services, according to the report. Elderly care service vouchers will pay for seniors affected by moderate or more severe functional impairments.

The report stresses the government's commitment to greater care and assistance for elderly people living alone, as well as people with physical or cognitive impairments and other groups in need.

The government will also help healthy seniors who want to keep working and volunteering, draw up measures to boost the silver economy, and refine supportive policies for products designed for seniors, pension finance, and seniors' seasonal relocation for wellness and care, the report said.