(ECNS) -- In efforts to build a friendly city for an ageing population, Beijing has approved a special plan focusing on developing services and infrastructure for the elderly during the city's 13th Five Year Plan (2016-20), according to the Bureau of Civil Affairs.
For the first time, the plan encourages employers to offer workers paid leave to visit and take care of elders in the families on their birthdays, the Double Ninth Festival or when they need rehabilitation or hospice services.
It said the government would issue standards on building apartments and other public facilities for the aged.
The city will also build more elderly-friendly public facilities, such as setting aside waiting areas at airports, as well as subway, bus and train stations.
Beijing plans to promote the pilot program of mortgaged-backed loans, which will allow elderly the option of receiving loans from banks by using their houses as mortgages. The government will issue a model agreement for such loans to make the process easier.
In addition, it also encourages the construction of more care facilities for the elderly, as well as improvements to the related health-care system. Government allowance for the aged will also be upped.
