aging

At CIIE, New Tech and Wellness Products Target China’s Elderly

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

This year’s expo highlights a wide array of health and wellness products for the elderly, from therapeutic treatments to smart devices.

Sixth Tone

Chinese City Gives Workers Paid Leave to Care for Aging Parents 

Yangzhou has become the latest city to pass new regulations to address the social pressures created by China’s rapid population aging.

Ding Rui

China Approves First Retirement Age Hike Since 1950s

The gradual increase, starting in 2025, aims to address China’s shrinking workforce and the economic strain of an aging population.

Ni Dandan

Elder Care Graduates in Hot Demand in China

As China’s population rapidly ages, elder care facilities are scrambling to secure access to young talent.

Fan Yiying

China Signals More Flexible Real Estate Policies

At the crucial third plenum this past week, China’s leaders vowed to give local governments greater freedom to set real estate policy.

In China, a ‘Good Death’ Still Means Putting the Family First

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

One professor has spent years asking Chinese people how they would like to live out their last moments, finding most emphasized the importance of their families, with little mention of personal choice and autonomy.

Tu Jiong

Is China Ready for Hospice Care?

Hospices remain rare in China. Those that do exist are often underfunded and overlooked.

Demand for Insurance Is Rising in China, Report Finds

Chinese household spending on insurance rose in 2023, with private pensions, health insurance, and pet insurance among the main growth areas.

Old Age, New Stage: On China’s TikTok, the Elderly Find a Second Act

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

As China grapples with a rapidly aging population, hundreds of new short video accounts have emerged detailing life in care homes. Many look to reshape perceptions and the stigma around elder care.

Providing Long-Term Care for Shanghai’s Most Vulnerable Residents

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.

MULTIMEDIA

Lü Xiao

How Shanghai Is Redefining Aging With In-Home Care

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

To cater to its aging population, the city has launched a pilot program to deliver in-house care services for the elderly.

SHer Life

China’s Most Elderly Province Expands Subsidies for Graduate Elderly Care Workers

Liaoning’s subsidy program for graduate elderly care workers is to also include those who studied degrees such as counseling and public relations.

Retired but Not Retiring: China’s Solo Seniors Find New Grooves in Life

Breaking with traditional views on grandparenthood, some older residents are pursuing independent, rewarding lifestyles by embracing what they enjoy most.

Beijing’s Elderly Residents Increase as Reforms in the Works

Municipal officials have rolled out several initiatives to attract top talent as high costs of living push people to relocate to neighboring cities.

Ye Zhanhang

Beijing to Promote ‘Migratory Bird’ Retirement Among Elderly Residents

Like their counterparts in Europe and the United States, elderly Chinese — mainly from the country’s north — also prefer retiring to warmer climates for large parts of the year.

Zhu Junxi

In Shanghai, a Splash of Comfort in Elderly Care: Home Bathing Services

For seniors, maintaining personal hygiene can be a problem. Professional bathing services now send carers into homes to give seniors the luxury of a warm soak.

Li Xin

E-Commerce Giants Target a New Singles’ Day Market: China’s Elderly

Amid China’s biggest shopping festival, data shows a surge in senior consumption across online platforms, particularly of products like electric wheelchairs and hearing aids.

He Qitong

Young Chinese Embrace Budget-Friendly Elderly Universities 

In China’s growing number of universities meant for the elderly, young Chinese are finding good value for their money — and company.

China Wants Its ‘Silver’ Haired Teachers to Get Back to Teaching

With some of the lowest retirement ages in the world, China is launching its biggest recruitment drive yet for retired teachers to return to the classroom.

Hostels in China Set Upper Age Limit for Guests, Spark Debate

With hostels in several cities refusing guests above the age of 35, many on social media said the move amounted to discrimination against this demographic.