
China will have 240 million people aged 60 or above by the year of 2020, according to a senior health official.
Liu Qian, deputy head of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, was addressing the InterAcademy Partnership for Health 2016 Conference, held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Beijing.
By 2020, senior citizens will make up 17 percent of the population, the official said.
Liu noted the severe situation with regard to chronic disease, with more than 260 million chronically ill patients in the country. These illnesses are to blame for over 86 percent of deaths in China.
Liu said the per capita annual spending on health was estimated at around 472 U.S. dollars in 2015.
Liu also promised to improve the medical insurance system and basic public health services, and to encourage development of traditional Chinese medicine and research.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses