Editor's Note:

TheMK sports Korea Chongyang Festival, also known as the Double Ninth Festival on the ninth day of the ninth month on the traditional Chinese calendar, falls on Friday, October 11, 2024.

It's long been a festival for Chinese to show care and love for the elderly, highlighting the Chinese value of filial piety.    

In January 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out that respecting the elderly is a fine tradition and virtue of the Chinese nation. Whether a society is a happy one or not, it is very important to see whether the elderly are enjoying a happy life. 

Nowadays, Chinese people at different ages, also including senior citizens themselves, are playing a role in offering a happier life to the elderly.

Global Times reporters Wu Jie, Sun Langchen and Jiang Li offer you some insights into the festival and how Chinese senior citizens are enriching their life thanks to the efforts of building an age-friendly society.

People exercise at a senior university in Xiangyang, Central China's Hubei Province. Photo: VCG

Amid the Chongyang Festival, also known as the Double Ninth Festival, a group of young volunteers have assembled in Beijing to offer some help to the elderly in a senior community, including cleaning, repairing household appliances, tidying their rooms and assisting with shopping. 

Tang Yishu, a college student in the capital, is among these volunteers. She told the Global Times that it is not the first time she has joined the team of volunteers. "We often visit nursing homes for the elderly as volunteers, bringing gifts or daily necessities such as fruit, pastries and clothing. We chat with the elderly, keep them company, and take care of them," said Tang.

The young student saw more youths willing to get involved in the volunteer work, which she thinks is a very positive sign. "This atmosphere of respecting and caring for the elderly has extended into daily life and is becoming the norm in society," she said.

President Xi Jinping extended greetings to the elderly on the eve of the Chongyang Festival, which falls on Friday in 2024.

In a letter to representatives of seniors who are participating in a national voluntary initiative, Xi expressed the hope that the elderly are well provided for, enjoy their lives, and continue their pursuits.

The "double ninth" of the festival, which was included on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006, creates an important connection to the elderly, as in Chinese folklore the number nine sounds like the word for "long," thereby leading to the auspicious meaning of "a long and healthy life."

On this day, people hold many activities associated with health and longevity, such as enjoying chrysanthemum flowers, drinking chrysanthemum wine, wearing pieces of dogwood and going to high places.

More importantly, the festival carries profound cultural significance and reflects the traditional Chinese virtue of respecting and caring for the elderly. On this day, people not only remember their deceased loved ones, but also extend care and warmth to the elderly around them, promoting filial piety and the value of family bonds.

Seniors read in a library in Tengzhou, East China's Shandong Province. Photo: VCG

Eternal theme

Xiao Fang, head of the Department of Anthropology and Folklore Studies at Beijing Normal University, told the Global Times that the traditional festival has taken on new meanings beyond its traditional role.

"The festival still holds significant social responsibility with activities focused on the well-being of the elderly. At the same time, it has become associated with health and fitness, with people participating in outdoor activities like hiking and climbing. This evolution reflects the contemporary values of both increasing care for seniors and maintaining physical and mental health, blending ancient traditions with modern practices," said Xiao. 

Li Hanqiu, a veteran folk custom expert, told the Global Times that caring for the elderly is an eternal theme of the Chongyang Festival.

"Chinese culture puts significant emphasis on filial piety, but we don't have the Chinese equivalent to Father's Day or Mother's Day. So I proposed to initiate Chinese Father's Day on the same day as Chongyang, and Chinese Mother's Day on another date in spring," said Li, who first proposed the Mid-Autumn Festival be designated a public holiday.

China has been actively implementing strategies to build an age-friendly society, addressing the challenges posed by its aging population. In 2021, China released a guideline for measures to further implement its national strategy to address population aging and boost the sense of fulfillment, happiness and safety among the elderly.

People pose for photos in Luoyang, Central China's Henan Province. Photo: VCG

Echoing demand

At the Chaozhou crochet exhibition held in South China's Guangdong Province in July, a notable display featured the crochet needle of "Aunt Hua," which she has used since the 1970s. Now in her 50s, Aunt Hua has been advised by her daughter to stop crocheting now that she has had cataract surgery. 

"I love crocheting very much, it's hard to get through the day without it," Hua told the Global Times.

This is not an isolated case. Many retired Chaozhou aunties feel distressed about being unable to continue their traditional craft after retirement. 

Fortunately, Huang Jiayu, a Post-1990 entrepreneur, has helped support these aunties in rediscovering their skills through creative designs. 

"I'm particularly happy to see these aunties realize that their traditional skills can shine through new designs, allowing them to gather together to crochet and chat while also earning an income."

Official data shows that China has entered a moderately aging society. There were 297 million people aged 60 and above in the country at the end of 2023, accounting for 21.1 percent of the total population. The number of people aged 65 and above reached 217 million, taking up 15.4 percent of the total. 

"Unlike the previous generations of elderly people who focused on physiological and health needs, today's elderly have more emotional and social needs, which is also more personalized. This will further develop the silver economy and related care markets," Zhang Yi, CEO of iiMedia Research Institute, told the Global Times.

Zhang noted while he conducted research among the elderly people, almost everyone had regrets from their youth. They want to learn to dance, paint, and speak foreign languages, and they want to travel. This trend reflects a growing demand for enrichment experiences in later life.

The consumption patterns and preferences of the elderly are also changing, shifting from basic concerns about food and medical services to focusing on wellness, recreational activities, and the realization of personal value in quality of life.

Auntie Liu, a 63-year-old who joined a dance team in a park in Beijing, told the Global Times that she has also enrolled in a senior university. 

"On the one hand, I don't want to mess up my children's lives. I have my pension and can support myself. On the other hand, I want to learn painting and English to have a bit of my own life," Liu said.

Once a Russian teacher, she now aspires to learn English and encourages her dance team partners to do the same.

As the emotional and value-based needs of the elderly rise, a renewed emphasis on caring and respecting the elderly has emerged, with young people actively participating in promoting the silver economy. 

"The requirements for supporting and caring for the elderly will become higher, which also provides many job opportunities for young people with professional skills. Many volunteers have also joined this effort, representing a new form of respect and care for the elderly," Zhang said.

Enjoying life

With increasing awareness of aging-related issues, volunteer services and social support systems are continually improving. The Chinese government is also pushing forward with policies to strengthen the elderly care system, aiming to provide comprehensive care and support for the elderly.

An official surnamed Li, who is responsible for elderly affairs in Beijing, told the Global Times that citizens aged 60 and above in most provinces can ride public transportation for free, significantly easing the burden of their daily commutes.

"Regarding dining, the government has been encouraging restaurants and elderly care institutions to provide meal assistance for seniors. In Beijing, for instance, community senior dining halls offer meal subsidies for eligible individuals receiving basic elderly services, allowing them to enjoy discounted meals. For elderly people with disabilities or those facing financial difficulties, the subsidy amounts are even higher," Li noted.

"Many of Beijing's tourist attractions are open to seniors aged 60 and above free of charge, providing them with spaces for recreation and leisure," Li added.

Thanks to the joint efforts in fostering an age-friendly environment, senior citizens have more opportunities to add their own meaningful contributions to society and enjoy their lives.