By the end of 2005, China set up more than 26,000 institutions of higher learning for the elderly, with a total enrollment of 2.3 million elderly students, says a white paper issued by the Information Office of the State Council Tuesday.

The white paper, titled "the Development of China's Undertakings for the Aged," says that governments at different levels, departments concerned, enterprises and public institutions have established model institutions of higher learning for the elderly.

"China pays much attention to the development of cultural education for the aged in order to enrich their cultural life and satisfy their needs in this regard," it says.

By the end of 2005, China claimed to have about 670,000 items of facility for seniors' recreational activities. Public cultural service equipments such as libraries, cultural centers, art galleries, museums, and science and technology centers funded by the government, as well as public recreation places, including parks, gardens and tourist sites, are open to seniors free or at a discount, the paper says.

The paper says, the state has also made positive efforts to provide spiritual and cultural products suitable for senior citizens. Central and provincial radio and TV stations broadcast programs specially tailored for elderly people. By the end of 2005, China had published 24 newspapers for seniors, with a total circulation of 2.8 million copies, and 23 magazines and periodicals, selling some 3.058 million copies.

Source: Xinhua