China will improve its pension and healthcare systems to provide better public services for its growing elderly population, according to the five-year plan (2016-2020) on elder care, issued by the State Council.

Several old folks chat in a nursing home in suburban Beijing. [Li Xin / Xinhua]

China must carefully address the salient issues of its aging population in the next five years, the plan explains. Based on statistics from the State Council, the over-60 population in China will reach approximately 255 million by 2020, accounting for 17.8 percent of the country’s total population. Of those, 118 million elderly people will be either empty-nesters or live completely alone.

Improving China's current healthcare and pension systems will be a priority over the next five years. According to the plan, 90 percent of urban and rural residents will enjoy basic pension insurance by 2020, and 95 percent of citizens will be covered by basic healthcare. A nationwide information network for health insurance will be built to facilitate the settlement of healthcare costs for retired people.

The plan also calls for public participation in elder care. Families and communities are being asked to accept a share of the responsibilities, while additional funding will be allocated to elder care facilities. Private capital and nongovernmental organizations are also encouraged to enter the elder care market.

In addition to improving seniors’ material life, the plan suggests that at least one university for senior citizens be established in each city by 2020, offering elderly people ongoing education and entertainment. The government also encourages senior citizens to get involved in public activities. By 2020, according to government statistics, over 12 percent of China's elderly population will be registered as volunteers.