Thousands of years ago, a Chinese sage said: "In a society of harmony, people extend their love for the old people in their family to other families."

If Song Chunli has his way, the saying could come true. As a member of the National People's Congress (NPC), he gave an interview last week where he posed this hypothetical situation:

"I come from Ji'nan (Shandong Province), and another man comes from Chengdu (Sichuan Province). Coincidentally, I work in Chengdu and he works in Ji'nan. If we can't get home for the holidays, how about looking after each other's parents?" he said at the China Central Television (CCTV) studio.

The state TV station is producing a program for the ongoing NPC session in Beijing, inviting deputies and regular citizens to discuss important issues.

Song took part in the discussion about "silver-haired China," which focused on the aging society.

At the end of 2005 China had nearly 144 million people over 60, representing 11 percent of its population, but the country seems to be unprepared.

More and more old people in China are spending their days at home sitting in front of the television. They are called "empty nesters" because no family members live with them.

In Qi'nan Community of Beijing's Xicheng District, out of 1,218 people aged over 60, nearly 500 are "empty nesters."

Because of their traditional way of thinking, these people are reluctant to go to understaffed rest homes, preferring to stay in their own homes.

Some of them have children, but the young people are often too busy with their work or simply fail to recognize their parents' emotional needs.

Old people in rural areas suffer not only from loneliness but also from being unable to help with farm work.

A report by the World Bank said that by 2050 China's senior citizen population could rise to 400 million, meaning every working-age person will have to support one retiree.

China's social security system is being reformed, but currently covers very few old people, especially in rural areas. Because previous efforts have not helped enough, the Chinese government is looking for new solutions to this problem.

In 2004, Qi'nan Community began building a "rest home without walls" in an attempt to attract aged residents. The new type of rest home allows old folks to stay at home, delivering all-round services to the door.

Funded by the government, NGOs, and enterprises, the innovative institution has a good reputation in its neighborhood.

Some young people are keen to understand the needs of their elders. On Chinese New Year's Eve, Guo Wencai, a young volunteer who works in Chongqing, celebrated the Lunar New Year with Zhang Rong and two other old men from "Home of Golden Autumn," a local rest home.

"I'm from Shandong. I can't go home for Spring Festival this year, so I decided to stay here with people like my parents," said the university student.

 (Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2007)