Beijing issued over 1.1 million "elderly care cards" to senior citizens between the ages of 60 and 64 in 2018. Starting from 2019, people of ages 60 and over could use the card to ride buses and go to parks for free, as well as enjoy a number of other social benefits.

The city also began allowing people to apply for the card six months before their 60th birthday, so that they could start enjoying the benefits as soon as they are eligible.

"It is the lawful right for the senior citizens to enjoy social benefits," said Li Hongbing, vice head of the Beijing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau. "Better welfare service will increase wider social participation of the elderly and improve their livelihood."

In 2018, Beijing built 182 elderly care centers in urban and rural communities to help the elderly to get eldercare service nearby. The city also introduced and integrated a series of welfare policies for the elderly people, including living allowances and old age allowance. Over 58,000 elderly people who lived alone or were of advanced age received special care and visits. Beijing also improved the living conditions for 9,000 impoverished elderly families.

According to Beijing's civil affair bureau, this year's work will continue to focus on the elderly group and other key groups, in order to build an inclusive social welfare system. A total of 150 community eldercare service centers will be built to further improve the elderly care system. Beijing will also mull over policy reform on elderly care services. The city plans to promote elderly care practices it learned from pilot programs in Xicheng, Fengtai, Shijingshan, and Tongzhou districts.

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