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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Beijing, January 13 (Xinhua) — China's central government has called for active exploration of advanced technologies, including brain-machine interfaces, robotic exoskeletons, and wearable power suits, to assist elderly people with declining physical function, according to a government directive released Tuesday.
The document, jointly prepared by eight central government departments, including the Ministry of Civil Affairs, aims to reform elderly care services, improve the well-being of senior citizens, and stimulate the growth of the “silver economy.”
The drive to integrate technology into elderly care is already bearing fruit. In Zhejiang Province, eastern China, a 68-year-old resident named Chen, who suffered from left-sided hemiplegia due to a cerebral hemorrhage, regained the ability to lift a cup with his left hand after training using non-invasive brain-machine interface technology in the rehabilitation department of a local hospital.
The Directive encourages the development of the robotic care industry for the elderly, calling for the integration of robotics, medical rehabilitation and smart home technologies to address a wide range of needs of the elderly population – from assistance with daily living and emotional support to social care services.
The policy initiative comes amid the rapid aging of China's society. According to statistics, the number of people aged 60 and over in China reached 310 million by the end of 2024. This demographic group is projected to exceed 400 million by 2035.
In addition to the implementation of new technologies, the document places particular emphasis on expanding community-based care by networking aged care providers and encouraging home care companies to develop customized home care solutions that meet the specific needs of older adults, as demand for such services continues to grow.
The document also calls for unlocking the economic potential of the aging population. It is projected that by 2035, China's "silver economy" will exceed 30 trillion yuan (US$4.3 trillion).
To reap the economic benefits of this growth, the directive calls for promoting the development of age-appropriate products, including cosmetics for older people, easy-to-chew foods with reduced sugar and higher protein levels, and special clothing that provides safety, warmth, and posture.
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