Some of Beijing's "Filial Stars" attended a gathering in Beijing World Park Saturday to promote caring for the elderly.

A total of 10,000 individual citizens, and 1,000 companies and organizations in Beijing have been honored as "Filial Stars" for their devotion to caring for the city's elderly population.

"It is a traditional Chinese virtue to be filial sons and daughters. I think the virtue is still needed in our times," Li Li, a "Filial Star" representative, told METRO.

"We need to apply the personal filial love for our own parents on a larger social scale, so that our society will be full of love."

She said she felt excited to meet so many warm-hearted people from all walks of life who make such unselfish efforts to improve the quality of life for the elderly.

The candidates' stories were posted online during the past three months with netizens voting for their favorites. Each "star" was awarded 1,000 yuan in cash and given a phone especially designed for the old and people with disabilities. The winners were aged between 8 and 88, with about 67 percent were between 30 and 60 years old.

Some of the "stars" had been taking good care of their own parents and parents-in-laws for years, others had been caring for unrelated old people who live alone. Some had been working hard to provide good services for the old, while others are active in volunteer projects for the elderly.

Aside from individuals, 231 companies, 339 residential community offices and more than 300 social organizations won awards for their thoughtful services and assistance for the elderly. The activity aims to promote the spirit of filial piety and it has proved very popular since its launch in August. More than 30,000 messages were left on the website by voters, expressing their appreciation for the stars.

"In fact, taking good care of senior citizens today will create a better future for ourselves in the years to come," said Wu Shimin, director of the Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau and vice-director of the Elderly Working Committee Office of Beijing.

There were 167 million people in Beijing aged over 60 years old in 2009 and they accounted for 12.5 percent of the city's total population. By 2020 they are expected to comprise 20 percent.

Wu said that by 2020, it is predicted that 90 percent of old people will spend their years after retirement at home, 6 percent in community centers, and the remaining 4 percent at well-managed social facilities.

"I have received real benefits from a series of policies in favor of old people," said Li Xiangzhou, 69, a retired teacher living in Xicheng district.

"For example, I can go to the park near where I live for free every day to do some jogging, watch the flowers, and play chess with my friends."

(China Daily October 18, 2010)