Public exercise equipment put to good use

　　Liu Fuming manages the People's Daily Old Age School in Beijing. "We try our best to provide them with a place for learning, making friends, staying healthy, and entertainment," he says. Schools and community centers such as Liu's and others provide a setting for social activities and offer courses in college subjects, painting and calligraphy.

　　The elderly desperately need these kinds of outlets, Liu says. "They are looking to make the rest of their lives prosperous. Many had interests while they were young, but had no time to do them. Now they do, and we can fulfill their interests."

　　Assisting the efforts of those like Liu is a host of volunteers - 3.3 million nationwide - and charity organizations. Volunteers help seniors living alone with housework, provide much-needed social interaction and answer "assistance bells": Emergency systems installed in an increasing number of elderly residences.

　　As the government encourages private investment into elderly services, another silver lining is becoming more evident. "Certainly there are many new economic growth points," says Sun Pengbiao. "For example, the elderly insurance market, housing properties for seniors, elder health care products." Senior-specific clothing, vacation and travel services and anti-aging and beauty supplies are all products receiving higher levels of demand.

　　Liu Xiaoming, advisor to the Beijing office of American International Assurance, agrees with Sun. "It's a gold mine," she says. "Many customers complain that the products offered for the elderly are so rare." Hopes are that the growing elderly market will help offset any potential drag China's aging population might place on the country's rapid economic growth.

　　The true gold mine, perhaps, is what China's elderly themselves have to offer. "Older people are a kind of treasure," says Liu Fuming. "They are veterans of life-long work. They can teach the young their experiences and train them."

　　Elderly concur. Li Yongcheng, 78, of Datong, Shanxi Province, says "Chinese people focus on the family first, then the country. If you are unable to settle family problems, how can you handle the problems of society? We elders may not have much energy to help the country directly anymore, but we can share our family responsibility, taking care of our grandchildren and keeping them healthy."

　　Ninety-six-year-old Zheng Shufan of Beijing still finds ways to contribute to her family and community. "She sweeps the snow off the walkways and helps the other elderly," says her daughter, 67-year-old Dou Xiping. "She gives her youthful attitude to her children. Her old age is a good sign for the prosperity of China."Even in her twilight years, Zheng helps care for her grandchildren, stays actively interested in her country's politics, and plays a mean hand of poker.

　　China's seniors are a vital link to the country's traditional past, says Luan Guizhi. "We can tell memorable stories of the past and teach old artistic skills that are vanishing due to our country's rapid advancement," she says.

　　The problems with China's graying population are evident. Somehow, the country must strike a balance between government support and private investment, between pensions and family finances, between relatives and volunteers. The picture of vitality painted by seniors in city parks each morning is not a universal one; for every Zheng Shufan there are other elderly lacking much needed care and attention. The continued efforts of China's government and citizens will determine whether the country's laoren face a future as China's latest population crisis, or are tapped as one of its greatest resources.

　　Fast-Aging Facts

　　*The Double Ninth Festival (chong yang jie), held on the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, celebrates the nation阵 elderly.

　　*According to the UN, the average lifespan in China has skyrocketed, from 40 years in 1949 to 72 in 2005.

　　*Nearly 5 million Chinese seniors suffer from senile dementia; this number is increasing by 300,000 per year.

　　*More than 10 million seniors participate in traditional Chinese exercises.

　　*Japan aged faster than China, but when Japan had China's proportion of elderly citizens, its per capita output was three times that of China's today.

　　*The Chinese government is considering raising the retirement age, altering family planning policies and enhancing worker productivity through education to prevent the development of an insupportable elderly population.

　　*Cover model Zheng Shufan, 96, has seven grandchildren.