人口老齡化既是挑戰也是機遇大綱
Aging population a trend that is both challenge, opportunity
人口老齡化既是挑戰也是機遇
The central authorities have unveiled the first comprehensive document guiding the governments of various levels to cope with challenges of one of the largest and fastest aging populations in the world. Beijing News comments:
中央政府印發了指導各級政府積極應對人口老齡化挑戰的第一份系統文件，《新京報》評論道：
It is predicted that by 2035, the number of people above 60 years old will account for more than one-fourth of the country's population, which is already the case in some big cities, and the proportion will surge to more than one-third by 2050.
據預測，截至2035年，全國60歲以上的人口將佔總人口的四分之一以上，而這也是一些大城市的現狀。到2050年，這一比例將激增至三分之一以上。
International experience shows that it is the social security and public service system that bears the brunt of an aging population, although the demographic change also takes its toll on social vitality, innovation and growth.
國際經驗表示，儘管人口老齡化會對社會活力、社會創新和增長帶來了損失，但首當其衝的卻是社會保障和公共服務體系。
But if policymakers incorporate the trend into their social management and national development policy portfolios and take sufficient and effective preemptive measures, the aging population will not necessarily become a problem.
但如果政策制定者能將這一趨勢納入社會管理和國家發展政策中，並採取充分有效的積極措施，人口老齡化未必是一個問題。
As the experience of many developed economies shows, it is essential that the country transforms its growth model from one driven by production elements to one driven by innovation before the coming of the aging society, so as to minimize the impact of the loss of labor on the economy.
許多發達經濟體的經驗表明，在老齡化社會來臨之前，一個國家必須將其增長模式從以生產要素爲主轉變爲以創新爲主，從而最大程度地降低勞動力流失對經濟增長的影響。
So while increasing the social investment and inputs for the elderly, improving elder care and retirement services and enhancing legal and social protections, the government must also build a high quality work force and introduce advanced and innovative technologies to improve productivity.
因此，在增加社會對老年人的投資投入，改善老年人的關懷和退休服務以及加強法律和社會保護的同時，政府還必須建立一支高素質的勞動力隊伍，同時還應引入先進的創新技術來提高生產率。
The plan therefore provides a guideline for local governments to change their perspective so that rather than seeing senior citizens as simply a financial burden they should view them as motivation for providing high-quality services and a better social environment. Treating the elderly well is a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation, and building a policy system for pensions, filial piety, respect for the elderly and a healthy social environment is also a must.
所以，該規劃爲地方政府的觀點改變提供了指南——他們不應將老年人視爲單純的經濟負擔，而應將其視作提供高質量服務和改善社會環境的動力。善待老人是中華民族的傳統美德，因此，建立養老政策，營造孝老、敬老的健康社會環境也勢在必行。
Therefore, the aging of the population itself is not a problem. It is an important trend showing the country's social development.
總之，人口老齡化本身並不是問題，相反，它代表着示一國社會發展的重要趨勢。
