A political advisor has pushed ahead with age-friendly renovations in old communities in Benxi City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to provide the elderly with a better and healthier environment as aging in place is often the preferred option for seniors who can't imagine living anywhere else.

Northeast China once led the way in national industrial development. Today it has a high degree of urbanization but faces the challenge of an aging population. To deal with the issue, officials have had to think outside the box.
Li Mengjiao, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country's top political advisory body, was on a visit to a residential community where a senior-friendly transformation is taking place, and joined a choir of retired people from the local community.
"When singing, I feel especially relaxed and excited. I might join such a choir when I retire. The government should increase investment in infrastructure in the residential community to provide senior citizens with abundant space for recreational activities," said Li.
There are a number of free courses suitable for seniors in this community, such as calligraphy and paper cutting.
The community canteen lies just downstairs in the residential buildings. Spending only 8 yuan, about 1 U.S. dollar, locals can enjoy a nutritious lunch featuring five dishes and a soup.
"I'm 93 years old this year. Eating at this canteen means I don't have to cook by myself. It's very convenient. Today's lunch has vegetables, eggs, meat and fish. It's delicious," said a senior.
Northeast China is the nation's old industrial base. It once drove national industrial development. But due to transformation in industry, technology and the economy, combined with exhausted resources, the health of its economy has weakened.
"Urbanization in ortheast China started relatively early, so the aging urban infrastructure and the population are urgent problems that need to be solved," Li said.
The CPPCC member said age-friendly renovations in northeastern communities serve as a reference for the whole country.
"Take Benxi, as an example. The population over 60 years old accounts for 29 percent. In old residential communities like this, the aging rate is between 40 and 50 percent. The experience of age-friendly renovations play a typical and exemplary role for the whole country," said Li.
As the third session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee is set to open Tuesday, Li's proposal this year involves renovating old residential communities, inspired by the needs of seniors to live a dignified life in old age.