The Shanghai Women's Federation is calling for more support for elderly parents who have lost their only child in a proposal submitted to the Shanghai People's Congress.

How to take care of elderly parents who have lost their only child is a growing problem for the whole society.

So far, there are more than 7,000 families who lost their only child in Shanghai. And the number increases 500 each year, according to the Shanghai Population and Family Planning Commission.

"Most of the families are among the over-50 set and have already lost their childbearing ability. With a low income and being out of physical condition, their lives are much more lonely and helpless," said Zhu Ming, official from the federation.

It is important to establish a complete aid system, especially to improve the pension insurance system for the parents who lost their one child, Zhu said.

"Besides that, the care in the psychological aspect should also be enhanced," he said.