International experts exchanged views on China's aging population at a two-day conference concluding Friday.
Soyoltuya Bayaraa, a representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) China, said that China's efforts in investing in older people will offer valuable experience to the international community, citing robust political commitment, proper planning and forward-looking policies.
According to UN data from the World Population Prospects, people aged 60 and older accounted for 12.3 percent of the world's population in 2015, and will increase to 16.5 percent by 2030.
China will see a much greater increase, from 16.1 percent to 25.3 percent by 2030.
"The increased percentage of elderly people in China means an increased demand for more and higher quality services and products tailored to seniors," Du Peng, director of the Institute of Gerontology of Renmin University of China (RUC), told Xinhua.
The Chinese attach great importance to their aging population and have pledged to improve the elderly care service system based on families and supported by communities and institutions.
According to China's 13th Five-Year Plan, the country aims to address challenges brought by the aging population through enhancing employability, providing more elderly care and products as well as strengthening protection of their rights and interests.
In addition, China wants to increase its citizens' average life expectancy to 77.3 by 2020 and 79 by 2030, up from 76.34 in 2015, according to the "Healthy China 2030" blueprint, released by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council in October.
"Many low-age old people in China want to work beyond their retirement age. We should allow them to have the opportunities to sustain their contribution to society," said Dang Junwu, deputy director of the China Gerontology Institute, adding this would also help alleviate labor shortages posed by an aging population.
Dang's opinion was echoed by Bayaraa, who thinks that many seniors in China represent a great untapped potential to be harnessed as human capital, due to higher education attainment and invaluable experience.
"China could consider providing opportunities for seniors to continue to make active contributions to society if they are willing and capable to do so," Bayaraa said.
Bayaraa acknowledged the strong commitment of the Chinese government to the aging population by placing it high on the national development agenda.
"Older persons should have equal rights to participate in and benefit from national development," Bayaraa said.
She added that UNFPA China has also contributed data, evidence and analysis to China's 12th and 13th Five-Year Plans to inform policy discussions.
"Our partnership on aging is aligned with the national context of China," Bayaraa said.
The conference was co-organized by the UNFPA, the Institute of Gerontology of RUC and the China Population Association, attracting about 200 representatives.
The event was held in the wake of the one-year anniversary of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted at the United Nations, which provides a broader context for responses to aging to ensure that no one is left behind.
