Emergency responses were made in the cities of Altay and Hami of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as snow accompanied by drastic temperature drop and strong wind caused disruptions to local transportation and animal husbandry from Friday to Saturday.
Urban transportation had been impacted by sleet in Altay since Friday night. More traffic police were deployed to key road sections to mitigate traffic congestion. Meanwhile personnel and snowplows were sent by local authorities to remove snow in an effort to ensure safe travel for local residents.
Professionals were also sent to herdsmen's homes by local agricultural authorities to check if they had enough stocked hay for their livestock as bad weather prevented them from eating pastures in the open air.
A blue alert was released by local weather service on Sunday, warning residents in Altay of strong winds in the following two days, with parts of the region to see gale up to 89-102 km per hour.
Similar situation was found in Barkol Kazakh Autonomous County, Hami City, where local herdsmen fed their livestock with corns and straws prepared before the drastic temperature dropped.
Hami Meteorological Observatory on Friday released a yellow alert, warning that roads in the city's northern and mountainous regions could see increasing ice in days ahead.
Emergency responses triggered as snow hits parts of Xinjiang
As China's elderly population grows, shopping malls in Shanghai have actively adapted part of their services to cater to the needs and preferences of elderly consumers, tapping into silver-haired consumer market.
This trend reflects the city's efforts to enhance elderly care services amid the population aging. By the end of 2023, people aged 60 and older reached 5.68 million in Shanghai, representing a whopping 37.4 percent of the city's total population.
A shopping mall on the downtown Nanjing East Road pedestrian street has opened a dedicated club for senior citizens, offering a diverse range of activities from the operation of health workshops to traditional handicraft classes.
"I gain a lot every time I come here. I can participate in various club activities and also exchange knowledge and everyday life hacks with others," said Fu Meilin, an elderly resident.
The mall houses nearly 60 time-honored brands, along with dining and entertainment options suited to senior citizens.
Another business district in Shanghai's Putuo District has adopted a different approach, focusing on attracting retirees during weekdays while catering to younger shoppers on weekends.
Restaurants offer affordable off-peak meal deals priced under 100 yuan (about 13.88 U.S. dollars), attracting a large number of senior customers.
To ensure a convenient and enjoyable shopping experience for the elderly, many shopping malls have conducted age-friendly renovations, including providing comfortable seating areas, accessible restrooms, and consumer guidance services for the elderly shoppers.
Driven by the population aging, China's "silver economy" has shown vast growth potential, with the market currently estimated at around seven trillion yuan and projected to reach a 30 trillion yuan by 2035.
Shopping malls in Shanghai adapt to cater to growing 'silver economy'
