Love and Care for Elderly Advocated 　　China has 120 million people over 60, the largest gray-haired population in the world. This figure increases at an annual rate of 3.2 percent. 　　The fast-increasing population of senior citizens is exerting pressure on family and social life, as well as influencing the economic and social development. Chinese tradition of caring for the aged should be carried forward. 　　Society should recognize the common interests of children, adults and elderly. 　　Today's young people should care for the aged and prepare themselves for the day when they become old. Under whatever circumstances, there is no reason for taking less care of the old people. No family is allowed to shirk the responsibility for taking care of the elderly. Provision of better service for senior citizens in the community and implementation of related laws to better protect the rights of senior citizens are encouraged. 　　"It is important to bring home to family members and the whole society that the country is an aging society and we should be prepared for the change," said Doje Cering, Chinese Minister of Civil Affairs. China will have 130 million people above the age of 60 next year, or 10 percent of the population. Longer life expectancy and other factors may increase the number to 400 million in half a century, but scholars point out that China is far from adequately prepared for this because it lacks a complete social security network. 　　"Our goal is to set up a network to support senior citizens, to provide medical care, to help them avoid loneliness through study and entertainment, and to encourage them to serve society by using their abundant knowledge," Doje Cering added. HomeNews 1999-02-09 Page3 Full Story in Chinese