Journal of Applied Gerontology

 

Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

Register here to gain access to SAGE's 500+ Journals Online

Click here to sign up for SAGE Journal Email Alerts today!

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Cheng, J. Y. S.
Right arrow Articles by Wei Zhiyuan,
Right arrow Search for Related Content
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
Journal of Applied Gerontology, Vol. 26, No. 5, 454-471 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0733464807304786

A Proactive Strategy for the Aging Population That Capitalizes on the Talents of Older Adults in China

Joseph Y. S. Cheng

City University of Hong Kong

Zhang Mujin

Tsinghua University

Wei Zhiyuan

Tsinghua University

A proactive strategy for the aging population was first proposed by the World Health Organization in 2002. Chinese authorities and experts in gerontology welcome the strategy, and they have already emphasized the need to safeguard the dignity of the elderly population and utilize their talents. There currently exists a shortage of expertise concerning the positive utilization of older persons, and attempts to implement such utilization must be monitored closely and may require preventive intervention. China's experts in gerontology therefore advocate new socioeconomic ideals regarding the elderly community, proposing refinement of statutes and policies to protect the rights of elderly people. Furthermore, the success of this proactive strategy demands social support, the mobilization of public opinion, and allocation of resources. It appears that the Chinese leadership has already laid a good foundation for this process.

Key Words: proactive strategy • talent exploitation • shortage of expertise • statutes and policies

References

  • Dong, Z.Y. (1998). Laonian ziyuan kaifa yu xiandai wenming shehui [Exploiting the human resources of the elderly and modern civilized societies]. Beijing, China: Jingji Guanli Chubanshe.
  • Du, C.M., & Chuan, J.X. (2004, February 11). Sichuansheng Laokexie wunian chuang jingji xiaoyi 13yiyuan [The Sichuan Association of Old Scientists generated economic benefits of 1.3 billion yuan in 5 years]. Zhongguo Laonianbao [China Elderly Journal], p. 1.
  • Du, P. (1994). Zhongguo renkou laolinghua guocheng yanjiu [Study on the process of population aging in China]. Beijing, China: Zhongguo Renmin Daxue Chubanshe.
  • Gu, R.Z. (2003, December 16). Liangge 5% zheshe gaocengci rencai duanque [Two measurements of 5% reflect shortage of talents at a high level]. Zhongguo Jiaoyubao [China Education Daily], p. 2.
  • Hu, Z.D., & Zhang, C.Y. (2003). Xuexi he shijian "san ge daibiao," shilun lituixiu zhuanjia, jiaoshou renli ziyuan kaifa de ruogan renshi he jianyi [Study and implement the "three represents," certain understanding and proposals on the exploitation of the human resources of retired experts and professors]. Gansusheng Laojiaoshou Xiehui Gongzuojianbao [Work Report of the Gansu Senior Professors Association], 3, 1-15.
  • Hu, Z.D., & Zhang, C.Y. (2005). Lun laojiaoshou, laozhuanjia renli ziyuan kaifa yu laoyouxinwei [Comments on exploiting the human resources of old professors and old experts and new activities for the elderly]. Zhongguo Laojiaoshou Xiehui Huixun [Newsletter of the China Senior Professors Association], 3, 6-14.
  • International Labor Organization & Food and Agriculture Organization. (1988). World demographic estimates and projections, 1950-2025: A report. New York: United Nations, Department of International Economic and Social Affairs.
  • Jia, G. ( 2003, April). Laoyouxinwei, dayoukewei—Guanyu wohui (xiaobenbu) huiyuan "laoyouxinwei" dingkuang de diaocha [New activities for the elderly, major potential for the elderly— A survey of the "New Activities for the Elderly" campaign situation among members of our association (university campus)]. Shanghai, China: Tongji Daxue Tuixiu Jiaoshi Xiehui (Association of Retired Teachers of Tongji University) and Tongji Daxue Laojiaoshou Xiehui (Senior Professors Association of Tongji University).
  • Laodongbu Ketizu (Study Group of the Ministry of Labor). (1994). Zhongguo shehui baozhang tixi de jianli yu wanshan [The establishment and perfection of China's social security system]. Beijing, China: Zhongguo Jingji Chubanshe.
  • Liu, D. Y, Liu, Q. H., & Yue, F. (Eds.). ( 2000). Liushi er zai li [Re-establishing oneself at 60 years of age]. Hong Kong, China: Tianma Tushu Youxiangongsi.
  • Madrid international plan of action on ageing 2002. (2002, April). Plan endorsed by the United Nations Second World Assembly on Ageing, Madrid, Spain. Retrieved June 30, 2006, from http://www.un.org/ageing/coverage/action.pdf
  • National Bureau of Statistics of China. (2005 ). Population life expectancy by region. In China statistical yearbook 2005. Beijing, China: China Statistics Press. Retrieved June 30, 2006, from http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2005/html/D0405E.xls
  • Qinghua Daxue Lituixiu Renyuanchu (Tsinghua University Retirees Personnel Department). (1997, October). Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo laonianren quanyi baozhangfa [People's Republic of China law for the protection of elderly rights]. Law approved on August 29, 1996, at the 21st meeting of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People's Congress, Beijing, China.
  • Shanghai Senior Professors Association (Shanghaishi Laojiaoshou Xiehui) & Shanghai Association of Retired Educational Workers (Shanghaishi Tuixiu Jiaoyu Gongzuozhe Xiehui). (2003). Laojiaoshou fahui zuoyong queshi da—Yifen laizi Fudan Daxue Tuijiaoxie de diaoyanbaogao [Old professors performing really significant functions—A research report from the Association of Retired Professors in Fudan University]. Zhongguo Laojiaoshou Xiehui Huixun [Newsletter of the China Senior Professors Association], 1, 38-40.
  • Sheng, R.W. (2005, June 29). Jinyibu fahui lituixiu zhuanye jishu renyuan zai quanmian jianshe xiaokang shehui zhong de zuoyong—Renshibu youguan fuzeren jiu guanche zhongyang youguan wenjian dajizhe wen [Further facilitate the functioning of retired professional and technological personnel in the comprehensive construction of a relatively prosperous society— Responses to journalist's questions by responsible person of the Ministry of Personnel on the implementation of concerned central documents]. Renmin Ribao [People's Daily], p. 16.
  • Sun, G.Q. (2005). Laonian rencai bujin shi baogui caifu, gengshi juda de renli ziyuan [Elderly talents not only are precious wealth, they are also a tremendous human resource]. Zhongguo Laojiaoshou Xiehui Huixun [Newsletter of the China Senior Professors Association], 3.
  • Tian, X.Y., Zhan, J., & Zhao T.M. (2000). Renkou laolinghua yu jingji fazhan [ The aging of the population and economic development]. In Zhongguo Laoling Xiehui Ketizu (Study Group of the China Association of the Elderly) (Ed.), Ershiyi shiji shangbanye Zhongguo laoling wenti duice yanjiu [A study of the policy measures in response to the issues of the aging of China's population in the first half of the twenty-first century ]. Beijing, China: Hualing Chubanshe.
  • United Nations. (2002a). Political declaration. In Report of the Second World Assembly on Ageing. New York: United Nations. Retrieved June 30, 2006, from http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N02/397/51/PDF/N0239751.pdf?OpenElement
  • United Nations. (2002b). Statement of Kofi Annan, secretary-general of the United Nations. In Report of the Second World Assembly on Ageing. New York: United Nations. Retrieved June 30, 2006, from http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N02/397/51/PDF/N0239751.pdf?OpenElement
  • Wei, Z.Y., & Li, Z.C. (2001). Laojiaoshou Xiehui jianyi fahui laozhishifenzi zuoyong [Proposals on allowing the old intellectuals to function from the Senior Professors Association]. Guonei Dongtai Qingyang [Draft Report on the Domestic Situation], 56.
  • World Health Organization. (2002). Active ageing: The concept and rationale. Active ageing: A policy framework. Geneva, Switzerland: World Heath Organization. Retrieved from http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/WHO_NMH_NPH_02.8.pdf
  • Wu, C. P. (Ed.). (1999). Shehui laonianxue [Social gerontology]. Beijing, China: Zhongguo Renmin Daxue Chubanshe.
  • Wu, S.Q. (2003, December). Zhongguo Laojiaoshou Xiehui guanyu kaifa laojiaoshou gaozhili ziyuan de jianyi baogao [A report from the China Senior Professors Association on proposals to exploit the significant intelligence resources of old professors]. Report presented at the First Experts Forum of the China Seniors Professors Association, Beijing, China.
  • Xiong, B. J. (Ed.). (2000). Renkou laolinghua yu kechixu fazhan [The aging of the population and sustainable development]. Beijing, China: Zhongguo Daibaikequanshu Chubanshe.
  • Zhang, A., & Ning, S.H. (2003). Kaifa laokejiao gongzuozhe gaozhili ziyuan, wei quanmian jianshe xiaokang shehui fuwu [Exploit the significant intelligence resources of the old scientists and education workers, to serve the comprehensive construction of a society of relative prosperity]. Hubei Laojiaoshou [Senior Professors in Hubei], 2.
  • Zhang, M.J., Wei, Z.Y., Cao, X.X., Wang, S.S., Wu, Z.M., & Liu, D.W. (2005). Shishi rencai qiangguo zhanlue bixu zhongshi he dali kaifa gaozhili laonian rencai ziyuan [The significant intellectual resources of elderly talents must be emphasized and utmost efforts exerted in implementing the strategy of cultivating talents to strengthen the country]. Zhongguo Laojiaoshou Xiehui Huixun [Newsletter of the China Senior Professors Association], 2, 6-14.
  • Zhang, Y. (2004). Zhongguo dangqian de renkou taishi ji zhanlue guihua ying zhuyi de jige wenti [Some issues in demographic change and strategic planning]. In X. Ru, X. Y. Lu, & P. L. Li (Eds.), 2005 nian: Zhongguo shehui xingshi fenxi yu yuce [Analysis and forecast on China's social development 2005] (pp. 93-104). Beijing, China: Social Sciences Academic Press.

Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?



This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Cheng, J. Y. S.
Right arrow Articles by Wei Zhiyuan,
Right arrow Search for Related Content
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?