Cui Xinyun (2nd R) distributes publicity materials on medical insurance and anti-fraud at the Tian'etang Community in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 31, 2023. (Xinhua)

As China's 1960s generation enters old age, a societal shift is underway, with positive attitudes toward aging becoming established and fueling an increasing number of seniors seeking fulfilling and diverse lives through community engagement.

With hair dyed red and a tendency to speak quickly, Cui Xinyun, 71, appears young and energetic. When Cui started talking about her volunteer work, her eyes lit up. "Our community is like a big family. While helping others, I receive warmth and kindness too," she said.

Living in the Tian'etang Community, a neighborhood of Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province, this senior is a member of the local volunteer group.

Over the past decade, Cui has offered various types of assistance in her neighborhood, including mediating conflicts and patrolling, winning great trust and respect in the process. "Many residents know me, and some even told me the password for their home, and asked me to take care of it while they were away," she said.

As one of the world's most populous countries, China is facing a dual demographic challenge -- a shrinking number of newborns and a rapidly aging population.

By the end of 2024, the number of elderly people aged 60 and above in China had exceeded 310 million, accounting for 22 percent of its total population. This number is expected to grow, as the average life expectancy of Chinese people improves.

Last week, Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission, noted that China aims to raise the average life expectancy of its people from 79 years in 2024 to around 80 years -- through efforts in the five-year period from 2026 to 2030.

In response, the country is working to fully tap into the potential of its elderly. This April, China's Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCF) released a document focused on supporting the elderly's social engagement, which stressed the importance of promoting the regular and long-term development of senior volunteer services.

According to this document, a supportive policy and legal environment for elderly social participation will be established by 2029 -- with outdated regulations removed and seniors' engagement capacity enhanced.

By 2035, the system for elderly social participation will be more robust, offering diverse job opportunities for seniors. Active aging will become a societal consensus -- ensuring the elderly are fully developed and utilized from a human resources perspective, the document said.

It added that efforts will be made to continuously support community-focused volunteer services, such as neighborhood assistance, dispute resolution, and the promotion of legal knowledge and positive community norms, to enhance social governance in China.

In the Tian'etang Community in Changsha, there are more than 1,300 elderly volunteers like Cui -- accounting for 30 percent of total volunteers in the community, and making an essential contribution to the community's self-governance.

"Our neighborhood elections rely heavily on senior residents. They are the ones carrying ballot boxes and conducting door-to-door outreach throughout the day," said Lei Yao, Party secretary of the community.

Currently, China has over 53 million registered senior volunteers. They are from all walks of life, and serve society by leveraging their expertise.

Chen Zhuo, another senior volunteer in the Tian'etang Community, worked in the construction industry before retirement. The 68-year-old is always ready to lend a helping hand with activities like clearing clogged drains, changing water pipes and inspecting the fire safety of buildings.

A few years ago, a serious illness left Chen dispirited. At his wife's persuasion, he began volunteering in the community. Thanks to his people skills, Chen was made volunteer captain of his apartment complex. Notably, his team grew from 20 to more than 100 members in just two months.

This not only gave him a sense of belonging but also rekindled his desire for life. This autumn, Chen enrolled in the community's elderly singing training course -- and became the class monitor.

"It makes me feel great to be able to do something," Chen said proudly. 

Chen Zhuo cleans a public sign at the Tian'etang Community in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 28, 2025. (Xinhua)