Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday called for the steady and orderly implementation of the reform on gradually raising statutory retirement age to provide important support for advancing Chinese modernization.
Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks during a State Council meeting on mobilizing efforts for the reform in Beijing.
Li said the reform aligns with the objective requirement to proactively address an aging population and promote high-quality population development as well as the practical necessity for fully unleashing talent dividends and facilitating Chinese modernization.
He noted that the reform is a significant move to improve the social security system and better safeguard and improve people's livelihoods.
The Chinese premier emphasized adhering to the principle of voluntary participation and flexibility in implementing the delayed retirement policy, ensuring it truly reflects employees' intentions.
He urged the prompt formulation and improvement of supporting policies and measures, noting that policies that need to directly align with the reform plan should be introduced and implemented as early as possible.
Expanding employment should be a crucial measure supporting the reform's advancement, Li said. He stressed implementing and refining employment policies for college graduates and other young people while ensuring the protection of workers' rights and interests.
He also called for concrete efforts to strengthen old-age security and services, effective implementation of policies to raise basic pensions for urban and rural residents and retirees, and enhancing the coordination and adjustment of pension insurance at the national level.
Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, and State Councilor Wu Zhenglong attended the meeting. State Councilor Shen Yiqin presided over the meeting.
Chinese lawmakers on Sept 13 voted to adopt a decision on gradually raising the statutory retirement age in the country, marking the first adjustment in the arrangement since the 1950s. According to the decision, the statutory retirement age for men will be gradually raised from 60 to 63 in the course of 15 years starting from 2025, while that for women cadres and women blue-collar workers will be raised from 55 to 58 and from 50 to 55, respectively.
Chinese premier stresses advancing reform on raising retirement age
Chinese premier stresses advancing reform on raising retirement age
Various celebrations are being staged across China in anticipation of the fast-approaching New Year's Day and the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, or Spring Festival, boosting the market for related goods as more revelers get into the festive spirit.
In Beijing, more than 1,000 lanterns themed around fashion and technology are offering a colorful display in the city's Wenyuhe Park, making it one of the largest lantern festivals in the city this year.
In Shanghai, business districts have launched a series of themed decorations, exhibitions, performances, and interactive activities. Local authorities have also distributed consumption coupons, further stimulating consumer spending during the New Year's Day holiday, which falls on Wednesday.
In the nearby city of Hangzhou in the eastern Zhejiang Province, several promotional activities have been introduced to boost consumption. Additionally, business areas and shopping streets have been upgraded to meet the consumer demand for high-quality goods.
Special Spring Festival fairs have also been set up across the country as Chinese people gear up for their largest annual celebration around the Chinese New Year, which lands at the end of January in 2025.
In Huaiyuan County of east China's Anhui Province, a local fair is attracting visitors with a variety of well-known agricultural products. In Zhangzhou City of the coastal Fujian Province, a one-stop feature fair allows both visitors and locals to purchase a wide range of items.
Meanwhile, in northeast China's Jilin Province, local authorities in the city of Ji'an have sought to take advantage of the snowy conditions by integrating winter sports, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a range of snow and ice activities while shopping for Spring Festival goods.
Additionally, flowers are in high demand at many marketplaces across China as more people look to prepare some floral decorations as part of the celebrations.
In Kunming of southwest China's Yunnan Province, a special flower street featuring Chinese New Year flowers has been set up, where over 15,000 flowers are available, including more than 120 varieties of orchids.
Local flower markets area also in full bloom in various other places, from the northern cities of Shijiazhuang and Taiyuan to Hetian in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, all offering a wide variety of creative and unique flowers, which have been well received by residents.
New Year celebrations help boost market for festive goods