A send-off ceremony for three Chinese astronauts of the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceflight mission was held on Thursday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship is scheduled to blast off at 17:17 (Beijing Time) from the launch site to dock with China's Tiangong space station.
The three Chinese astronauts, Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, reported to the commander-in-chief of China's manned space program Xu Xueqiang that they were ready to undertake their mission.
After receiving an order from the commander-in-chief, the astronauts boarded a vehicle and departed for the launch site amid cheers from a crowd of well-wishers.
The three astronauts will take over command of China's Tiangong space station from the Shenzhou-19 crew currently in orbit, and will spend about six months in space.
Shenzhou-20 is the 35th flight mission of China's manned space program, and the fifth crewed mission during the application and development stage of China's space station.
Send-off ceremony held for Shenzhou-20 astronauts before launch
Send-off ceremony held for Shenzhou-20 astronauts before launch
Send-off ceremony held for Shenzhou-20 astronauts before launch
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'
