Changes urged

To tap into this potential, Li suggested accelerating policy reforms in employment, education and public health.

He said a more flexible retirement and pensions system could be devised, and more efforts should be made to improve the training of middle-aged and elderly workers, and to boost healthcare services to target illnesses common among seniors.

Dong Keyong, a professor at the Renmin University of China's School of Public Administration, said people ages 60 to 75 usually live without major health problems.

"They tend to be interested in a number of activities, such as travel, charity work and volunteering. They may even want to make a contribution to society or earn money through their professional knowledge," he said.

"More efforts should be devoted to helping them deploy their skills and improve their lives."

Dong said it is inevitable that people age 75 and older, and those in their 80s, will fall ill more often and their everyday activities will be impeded, so medical and rehabilitation services should be stepped up for them.

He added that senior care institutions will be irreplaceable for very old people who may have disabilities or dementia.