With the Double Ninth Festival (October 29) 🏮 just around the corner, the Chinese mainland is shining a spotlight on seniors. This traditional day for honoring elders reminds everyone how crucial it is to ensure our grandparents enjoy a happy, secure life as society ages.
From heartwarming visits by President Xi Jinping to top-level reforms, respect and care for older citizens are front and center. Back in 2018, during a stop at a Shanghai community elderly nursery, President Xi said, "…our common wish is that elderly people lead a happy, healthy and long life." 🌟
Demographics tell the story: by end of 2024, over 310 million people aged 60+ live on the Chinese mainland—almost 1 in 5. Those aged 65+ hit 220 million. In response, the government is rapidly building a solid eldercare system, featuring:
- 406,000 care institutions with 7.99 million beds 🛏️
- Nursing-care beds up from 48% (2020) to 65.7% (2024)
- 2.24 million home modifications for special needs 🏠
- 500 community-based care networks & 2,990 age-friendly communities 🌆
- 86,000 meal assistance centers serving 3+ million seniors daily 🍱
Beyond services, the so-called “silver economy” is soaring. Worth about 7 trillion yuan today, it’s set to hit nearly 30 trillion yuan by 2035. That means more tech solutions for elder care (think smart home devices and telehealth), fresh business chances, and better quality of life for seniors.
For young pros in South and Southeast Asia, there’s inspiration here: every culture honors seniors in its own way, from India’s grandparents’ worship during festivals to Thailand’s Respect for the Elderly Day. As our region ages, we can learn, innovate, and build community-driven eldercare that blends tradition with tech. 💡
Happy Double Ninth Festival, everyone! Let’s celebrate and care for the faces that shaped our past and fuel our future. 🙌
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
