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

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

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.

Ding Rui

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.

Ye Zhanhang

China’s Solution for a Growing Senior Care Crisis: Millions of Robots

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’s population rapidly ages, the country faces a critical shortage of health and social care workers. Authorities hope an army of AI-enabled robots can plug the gap.

Fan Yiying

China’s Food Security Faces a Hidden Threat: An Aging Countryside

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

VOICES & OPINION

Hollowed out villages populated by aging farmers pose a challenge to the country’s ambitious food security goals.

Gu Baojing

Chinese Seniors Find Peace — and a New Home — in Temples

As the country ages, new forms of elder care are needed.

Qi Tengfei

Faraway Family Members Use Smart Cameras to Monitor the Elderly

While some users say the device helps them to keep an eye on older family members, others are doubtful about the technology and concerned about privacy issues.

How an Army of Elderly Influencers Took Over China’s Instagram

The pandemic led to a surge in the number of Chinese seniors using a range of mobile apps. Now, retirees are migrating onto an unexpected platform: the lifestyle app Xiaohongshu.

Auntie Zhang’s College Life

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

MULTIMEDIA

The Paper

Growth in China’s Labor Force Slowed Since 2018, Says New Survey

The worrying trend comes amid reports that nearly 20 million workers will retire annually over the next 10 years.

For China’s Migrant Workers, Retirement Often Brings More Work 

Shut out of the social security system, Chinese migrants are having to continue working back-breaking jobs well into their 60s and 70s.

Ni Dandan

China’s Workforce Is Aging, New Report Finds

The average age of the country’s labor force in 2020 was 39, nearly four years older than it was in 2001.

Luo Meihan

China’s Elderly Care Homes on Guard to Keep COVID Out

Many care homes are said to be facing difficulties ranging from a shortage of medical supplies to no access to hospitals.

China’s Consumer Watchdog Demands More Age-Friendly Apps

Nearly two-fifths of the 104 apps in a survey didn’t include specific features for older users.

Over 59 Million Older Chinese Will Need Care by 2030, Study Says

A rapidly expanding older population is likely to present a challenge to the country’s already strained care system.

The Bank that Saves Time

In China, Dementia Cases Are Soaring. The Care System Can’t Cope.

As China’s population rapidly ages, the number of people developing Alzheimer’s disease is growing faster than the care system can handle. That’s placing an enormous burden on millions of families across the country.

As Chinese Save More for Retirement, Pension Firms Circle

With concerns over the state-led pension system mounting, the country is trying to increase private sector involvement in pension system reform.

Li Xin

Older Chinese Are Willing to Work. But Finding Jobs Isn’t Easy.

Age-related discrimination is said to be a major factor for rejections.

Chinese President Promises New Policies to Boost Birth Rate

China has recorded its lowest birth rate in decades amid a growing aging population.

Sixth Tone

As China’s Economy Stutters, the Elderly Are Emerging as Big Spenders

Insulated from the economic slowdown, retirees have become the driving force of China’s struggling tourism industry.