China '99 International Senior Citizens Forum Opens 　　The China '99 International Senior Citizens Forum opened on January 24 in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. 　　The forum aims to boost the development of scientific research and other social activity related to the aging population, in response to the International Year of Senior Citizens initiated by the United Nations General Assembly, said Peng Peiyun, vice-chairperson of National People's Congress Standing Committee and president of the Chinese Population Society. 　　Co-sponsored by the Chinese Population Society and the Jintai commercial group, the forum is welcoming 80 experts and officials from the fields of population studies, economics, sociology and medicine who will discuss the impact of the aging process on the economy, the establishment of a pension system, the relationship between the aging process and sustainable development and related topics. 　　The seminars are all being held under the banner of "Toward a Society for All Ages" designated by the United Nations for this year. 　　Peng said the UN has reminded the world of the aging process in the 20th century as a major, unprecedented challenge to mankind. 　　Along with their previous contributions, our senior citizens still offer their strength to society and deserve respect nationwide, Peng stressed. 　　Respect for the elderly is regarded as a basic ethic in Chinese culture, and " a society for all ages" means not only that senior citizens should share in the nation's wealth, but that they also should be respected as equal members of society regardless of their age, added Peng. HomeNews 1999-01-25 Page5 Full Story in Chinese