A new set of policies benefiting elderly people in Beijing was announced Tuesday by Beijing's Municipal Office for Elderly People. The announcement coincided with China's solar "Double Ninth Festival", a Chinese traditional festival for elderly people, and includes a range of measures for older people domiciled in Beijing such as free access to parks and scenic spots and free bus travel for the over-65s, and a monthly allowance of 100-200 yuan for the over-90s.

The policies, dealing with older people's travel, leisure and medical care, will be implemented on January 1, 2009.

Vice Director Chen Baoquan of the Beijing Municipal Office for Elderly People explained that the policies had been issued by the Beijing municipal government after two years of discussion. They will target registered Beijing citizens aged over 60 and provide preferential policies to those aged 65 and over. The policies cover 11 items, including living services, leisure, medical care, pensions and protection of rights, and address issues like free bus and other travel, allowances and subsidies.

Over the coming three months, the relevant departments will work out detailed regulations for implementation. At the same time, individual districts will be entitled to adjusting the policies according to their actual conditions.

According to the policies, those aged 65 and over can take any bus freely at any time on any day by showing a special elderly person's travel card. Barrier-free waiting areas will be set up at bus stations to help the elderly. At least 10 percent of bus seats are to be set aside for pregnant women, the disabled, young and old people. Government-supported tourist attractions such as parks and scenic spots will be free to the over-65s, other than for major events. Those aged 60 to 64 can buy interchangeable tickets for city parks at a discount price of 50 yuan. The government is also encouraging measures for non-government places of interest.

Public cultural facilities such as museums, public libraries, art and technology galleries, commemorative monuments and buildings, and former residences of celebrities will be open free of charge to the over-60s.

Public sports facilities financed by the city and its districts will provide preferential access to fitness activities for the elderly; cultural centers of all types (stations, palaces, activity centers) will be free to the elderly; films will be shown once a month at cultural centers; and a psychological counseling hotline (96156) will provide free services to the elderly.

Beijing has been providing allowances for local citizens aged 90 and older since the start of 2008. Those aged 90-99 receive 100 yuan per month, and centenarians are eligible for 200 yuan per month. People who meet these conditions can apply to their local community committees and after confirmation they can receive their allowance from the date of approval.

Residents with special difficulties such as those on low incomes, elderly couples, and invalids will benefit from a 50-250 yuan household service allowance.

Large- and medium-sized medical institutions will provide medical care for the elderly, giving them priority access to registration and seeing a doctor.

The community health service system will provide those without endowment insurance with a free physical examination once a year.

Law firms, notary offices and community legal services offices are urged to discount consultation fees and give priority to applications from those on minimum living subsidies.

The elderly population (60 years old and older) in Beijing was believed to be about 2.1 million at the end of 2007. 1.6 million are aged 65 and older. Chen Baoquan said that 100 million yuan will be required per annum to provide grants for the elderly.

(China.org.cn by Jessica Zhang, October 8, 2008)