More Elderly Chinese Travel OverseasSome five million senior citizens in China traveled overseas by the end of 1999 making up 20 percent of all Chinese that traveled overseas last year, according to statistics released by the China National Committee on Aging.More than 100 travel agencies are now providing special services for old people. They offer traveling packages particularly suitable for the elderly. There are 100 million elderly in China and this figure is estimated to reach 400 million by the middle of 21st century. The country's programs and facilities for the elderly "aren't able to meet demand", said Vice-Premier Li Lanqing at a lately meeting in Beijing. Li stressed the importance of better serving China's aged population which is vital to reform and maintaining social stability. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |