• China plans to extend retirement age gradually.

China plans to extend retirement age gradually. (Photo : Getty Images)

A convention of Chinese ministries tackled several public concerns in the past days, the most pertinent of which are the increasing number of citizens in their retirement age and the food security in the country.

According to China Daily, the ministries of Human Resources and Social Security (HRSS) and the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) discussed some of the most pressing social issues in the country.

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Talking during the conference held on July 22, the HRSS revealed its plans to extend the working age by increasing the age of retirement for Chinese laborers.

A report from CRI English said that the plan is to implement this "gradually and carefully," meaning that the increase in the retirement age would be rolled out stage by stage.

"As of the end of 2015, there were 220 million people who were at the age of 60 or above in China, accounting for 16.1 percent of the total population. China has become an aging society, and the trend is being reinforced," Ministry spokesperson Li Zhong said in prelude to the proposal.

Li then revealed that the Chinese government intends to make the human resource and social security management more sustainable by gradually increasing the retirement age.

Currently, Chinese workers retire at the age of 50 for women and 60 for men. The HRSS ministry's proposal intends to extend that into 55 and 65, respectively within a period of five years.

Meanwhile, the CFDA released a warning covering food safety during the summer flood season, tackling the effects of severe flooding on the food produce of the country.

Because of the damages to crops, there is high possibility that the cost of food will increase, thereby making the lives of lower class citizens more difficult.

The Administration also warned against illegal food production, explaining that in order to maintain food safety proper food production and storage procedures should be met.