China earmarks 2.4 bln yuan for eldercare

The Chinese central government will pump 2.4 billion yuan ($390 million) into supporting the eldercare sector, the Ministry of Finance announced on Friday.

The fund allocated will support eight provinces including Jilin and Shandong, in their efforts to develop this industry, a ministry statement said, without specifying a time frame for the investment.

It said that the central government funding will act as an incentive for more capital input from local governments, banks and companies, which it is hoped will together establish new funds to boost eldercare development and commercialize eldercare services.

The funding injection comes as China's eldercare industry faces problems such as difficulties in financing and venue planning as well as lack of professional management and personnel.

The statement added that the central budget will support various eldercare models, such as home-based services, nursing homes, and community-based eldercare.