Ministry of Civil Affairs: During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, it will promote the formulation of an Elderly Care Services Law

On September 23, the State Council Information Office held a press conference to introduce the arrangements for the highquality development of civil affairs during the 15th FiveYear Plan period. Li Changguan, Minister of Civil Affairs, said that the Ministry of Civil Affairs will improve the civil affairs legal and regulatory system in five areas, one of which is to promote the formulation of the Elderly Care Services Law. In response to the active response to population aging, the Ministry of Civil Affairs will also promote revisions to the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, further improve the elderly care security system, and enhance the wellbeing of older adults. At the same time, it plans to improve an elderly care service system that is tiered and categorized, inclusive and accessible, covers both urban and rural areas, and is sustainable. In terms of social assistance, the Ministry of Civil Affairs proposed to study, publicize, and implement the Social Assistance Law, and to coordinate the advancement of relevant legislative, amendment, repeal, and interpretation work, as well as improve the assistance management system and the regional integrated working mechanism. In addition, the Ministry of Civil Affairs will also improve relevant systems for child welfare and protections for persons with disabilities, implement the newly revised regulations on marriage registration and funeral management, and advance legislation on the Law on Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce as well as revisions to regulations on the registration and management of social organizations, so as to consolidate the ruleoflaw foundation in the civil affairs sector.