China to further cultural construction for the elderly

BEIJING - A proposal was issued on Thursday to further promote cultural construction for senior citizens and effectively cope with the aging society, according to the China National Committee on Aging (CNCA).

The proposal was jointly made by 16 departments, including the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Ministry of Culture and the CNCA.

Zhu Yong, vice director of the CNCA, said that China will see more than 200 million people at or above the age of 60 in 2013, and more than 300 million in 2025.

In 2053, China will has 487 million people over 60, or 34.8 percent of the country's total population, Zhu said, adding that the present percentage of senior citizens is 13.7 percent.

"China is currently witnessing the healthy and positive development of senior culture," Zhu said. "However, seniors still need more attention as well as more cultural products and services."

The proposal urged society to respect the social value of senior citizens, provide more activities that senior citizens can participate in and cultivate loving and assisting elders as social norms.

The proposal also suggested soundly configuring cultural resources in urban and rural areas and providing mental health services to empty-nesters, the disabled and left-behind elders in rural areas.

In addition, public cultural service facilities, including museums, art galleries, memorial halls and public libraries, should provide free or preferential entrance tickets for senior citizens, the proposal said.