This article explores two pivotal factors amid the unprecedented changes unseen in a century: the global aging trend and the new wave of technological revolution, with a particular focus on the characteristics of population aging in China and corresponding technological strategies. China’s aging process is marked by a large scale, rapid pace, and regional imbalance. The population aged 65 and over has reached 220 million, and the country is projected to enter a stage of severe aging by 2035. In response to this demographic challenge, the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposed implementing a national strategy to actively address population aging and to improve elderly care services.

At the same time, the technological revolution offers significant opportunities for tackling aging:Human-machine collaboration and improvements in total factor productivity can reduce reliance on young and middle-aged labor, enabling older adults to remain active participants in socio-economic life. Innovation in health and elderly care where technologies such as smart healthcare and intelligent elderly care can delay aging, optimize the allocation of medical resources, and improve the quality of life for the elderly. Institutional optimization needs where there is a pressing need to improve the pension system—such as developing the second and third pillars—and to advance reforms in healthcare and elderly care to ensure that the benefits of technological progress are equitably shared.

The article emphasizes that coordinated innovation in technology and institutions is crucial for addressing aging and achieving balanced, sustainable development.

Translated by Andeez Zlauddln

Full text in Chinese available at:

https://fddi.fudan.edu.cn/41/c2/c18965a737730/page.htm