China is moving ahead with plans to establish a nationwide long-term care insurance system, aimed at supporting its rapidly ageing population and easing the financial burden on families caring for elderly relatives.
The scheme is designed to help cover the cost of care for people unable to look after themselves due to age, illness or disability.
The policy is being led by key government bodies, including the National Healthcare Security Administration, which has overseen pilot programmes in several cities in recent years. These trials have provided valuable experience and are now being expanded into a unified national framework.
Long-term care insurance will fund services such as nursing care, home assistance, rehabilitation and support in care facilities. This will allow older people who need help with daily activities, including eating, bathing and mobility, to access professional care without placing the full financial responsibility on their families.
The initiative comes as China faces a rapidly ageing population. Longer life expectancy and falling birth rates mean the number of elderly citizens is rising sharply, increasing pressure on traditional family-based care.
Historically, older people relied heavily on relatives. However, social changes, including smaller families and urban migration, have made this model increasingly difficult to sustain.
Funding for the new system is expected to come from a combination of individual contributions, government support and existing medical insurance funds. While details may vary between regions, authorities aim to build a stable and sustainable system with some local flexibility.
A key objective is to make care more accessible and consistent. At present, the quality and availability of elderly care services vary significantly between urban and rural areas. Officials hope a unified system will improve standards, expand access and support the growth of the eldercare sector.
The rollout is also expected to create opportunities in healthcare and social services, with rising demand for trained carers, nursing homes and rehabilitation centres. Authorities say this could improve quality of life for older people while boosting employment in related industries.
Experts say the nationwide scheme marks an important step towards strengthening China’s social safety net. While challenges remain - including ensuring adequate funding and a sufficient workforce - the policy is seen as a necessary response to demographic change.
Further details are expected as the plan develops, including how contributions will be calculated and who will qualify for benefits. For millions of families, the scheme could provide much-needed financial relief and peace of mind.
Despite losing his bloc's majority in Israel's 120-seat Knesset in a hotly contested election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has manage...
Turkmenistan Airlines has increased flights to key international destinations, including Seoul, Milan, Kazan and Istanbul, as the Central Asian cou...
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 28 October 2026, exploring five election stories shaping world politics, from leadership struggles in Israel ...
Russia and Ukraine have begun a regional ceasefire to allow the start of a humanitarian effort in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, both sides said on Tuesday, but they continue strikes elsewhere, including the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
Despite losing his bloc's majority in Israel's 120-seat Knesset in a hotly contested election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to remain in the lead after 70 per cent of votes were tallied on Wednesday. Figures are subject to change as counting continues.
Russian strikes hit several parts of Ukraine overnight, injuring at least six people and targeting energy and port infrastructure, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said U.S. warnings about imminent Russian ballistic missile attacks had resumed.
Nearly two years after the 20 October 2024 parliamentary elections, Iraq’s Kurdistan Region remains without a cabinet. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) won 39 of 100 seats and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) 23, leaving neither able to govern alone.
The Pentagon is prepared to launch potentially major military operations against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from U.S. President Donald Trump, with sufficient forces already deployed in the Middle East, according to a CNN report.
Despite losing his bloc's majority in Israel's 120-seat Knesset in a hotly contested election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to remain in the lead after 70 per cent of votes were tallied on Wednesday. Figures are subject to change as counting continues.
Turkmenistan Airlines has increased flights to key international destinations, including Seoul, Milan, Kazan and Istanbul, as the Central Asian country moves to meet rising travel demand and strengthen its global aviation links.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 28 October 2026, exploring five election stories shaping world politics, from leadership struggles in Israel and mounting economic pressures to election security concerns in the U.S. and political fallout in Brazil.
A knife-wielding attacker was shot dead by a police officer outside Israel’s embassy in Belgrade after wounding the officer, prompting Serbian authorities to raise the country’s security alert to its highest level.
The cost of the U.S. war in Iran has climbed above $47 billion, according to Pentagon data obtained by Reuters, as spending on munitions, equipment losses and military operations continues to rise.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment