Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu Thursday called for stepping efforts to cope with an aging society as the number of people above 60 years old has reached 143 million in China.

"We should be fully aware of the profound impact of fast aging of the society on economy, politics and society and further enhance our sense of responsibility and urgency," Hui said at a national conference.

Hui, who is also head of the national work committee on aging, said China has the largest number of senior citizens in the world. The number of people above 60 years old has reached 143 million, accounting for 11 percent of the entire population.

He said the existing old-age security system, public health system, old-age care system and community services are unable to cope with the aging society

Hui called for quickening the establishment of old-age service system, solving the difficulties of senior citizens, protecting their legal rights and interests and mobilizing the whole society to carry forward the traditional virtues of respecting senior citizens.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2006)