China's elderly population has been increasing rapidly and is estimated to hit around 400 million by the end of 2035, making China a "super aging society", according to experts.

据有关专家表示，我国老年人口增长迅速，预计到2035年年底，老年人口总量将达4亿人左右，使我国成为“超老龄社会”。

Since China became an "aging society" in 2000, the elderly population has increased yearly by about 10 million, Zheng Gongcheng, head of the China Association of Social Security, said at a forum¹.

中国社会保障学会会长郑功成近日在一个论坛上表示，中国自2000年跨入"老龄化社会"后，老年人口每年增长约1000万。

By international standards, a country or region is considered to be an "aging society" when those aged 65 or over account for 7-14% of the total population.

根据国际标准，当一个国家或地区65岁及以上人口占总人口的7-14%时，该国家或地区即被视为“老龄化社会”。

Once that amount goes over 14%, the country or region is considered a "super aging society."

当老年人占比超过14%时，这一国家或地区被视为“超老龄社会”。

Zheng said that China's elderly care services are developing rapidly but also unevenly².

郑功成指出，中国养老服务业发展迅速但不平衡。

They are already not enough to satisfy the nationwide demand, while unbalanced supply has also become a problem, he said. These services lack social participation³ and professional nursing staff.

中国养老服务业已无法满足全国范围内的需求，不平衡的供给也构成了问题，且社会力量参与和专业护理人员均不足。

Zheng recommended an industry-wide plan on elderly care services be formulated⁴, which should be considered a new growth point for a sustainable national economy.

郑功成建议，应当制定养老服务的全行业规划，将其视为国民经济持续发展的新增长点。