China News Service, Shanghai, November 7 (Tao Siyue) The 9th China International Import Expo is being held in Shanghai. Yuan Da, Secretary-General of the National Development and Reform Commission, said during this period that the silver economy has strong development vitality and huge market potential, which has brought greater space for deepening international cooperation and sharing development opportunities.
He made the above statement at the Hongqiao International Economic Forum's "High-quality Development of the Silver Economy during the '15th Five-Year Plan': Focusing on New Scenarios and Cultivating New Momentums" sub-forum held at the same time as this CIIE.
The "2025 National Aging Development Bulletin" jointly released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the National Office on Aging in July 2026 shows that China's population aging will steadily deepen in 2025. As of the end of 2025, the country's elderly population aged 60 and over reached 323.38 million, accounting for 23.0% of the total population; the country's elderly population aged 65 and over reached 223.65 million, accounting for 15.9% of the total population. Compared with 2021, the total number of elderly people aged 60 and above has increased by nearly 21%, and their proportion has increased from 18.9% to 23.0%.
"China is aging rapidly and has a short buffer period." Du Peng, director of the Institute of Gerontology at Renmin University of China, said that based on this situation, the silver economy must be upgraded from supporting measures for people's livelihood to an important pillar of the national economy.
Yuan Da suggested that Chinese and foreign companies jointly expand new scenarios for silver consumption and respond to new expectations with new scenarios: focus on improving the level of inclusive elderly care services, jointly explore and expand medical care, health care and other service scenarios to meet the urgent needs of seniors of different ages and health conditions; focus on improving the quality of life of the elderly, and jointly explore rich Consumption scenarios such as health and wellness residences, senior education, senior shopping malls, and senior-friendly homes will expand the quality living space for seniors. Focusing on improving the social participation ability of the elderly, we will jointly explore social scenarios such as strengthening education and training for the elderly, and developing employment opportunities for the elderly, so that the experience and wisdom of the elderly can continue to create value.
Overseas manufacturers understand the needs of China's silver hair market and launch customized products. For example, the age-friendly RV first exhibited at this CIIE is equipped with lift seats, vital sign monitoring, and AED emergency devices. It meets the practical needs of the domestic elderly group for residence and barrier-free travel. It is a typical localized customized solution.
An exhibitor from Singapore brought a set of model rooms about "how to live when you are old". The washbasin and horse stall support lifting and lowering adjustments, and the nursing bed has its own sensor. If it senses that the elderly person has been away from the bed for too long, it will predict whether the elderly person has fallen.
In addition to more intelligent hardware products, this CIIE also showcased a scientific dietary product line that can help reduce the "three highs" and help the elderly control their body indicators with dietary plans.
Wang Bo, deputy director of the Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services of the Ministry of Commerce, said that developing the silver economy is an important way to expand service consumption and cultivate new momentum. The Ministry of Commerce held the "Service Consumption Season" and set up a special area for seniors to better meet the needs of the elderly.
Nadia Rasheed, representative of the United Nations Population Fund in China, said that the global aging process needs to move from longevity to healthy longevity, extending healthy years through safe housing, community support and other measures; at the same time, recognizing the economic contribution of the elderly, releasing their work and consumption potential through policies, and paying attention to the differentiated needs of the elderly of different genders and regions.
