China announced a series of policies to expand senior-friendly tourism services and senior-accessible trains at a press conference on Tuesday in Beijing.
China's population of senior citizens topped 300 million in 2024 bringing new demands for better elderly care services and improvements in the quality and enjoyment of seniors' daily lives.
In response, the Ministry of Commerce, China Railway Group and other departments, released a joint action plan to boost senior-friendly tourism with accessible trains as the centerpiece of the new approach.
Officials say the number of tourist train trips has increased significantly in recent years and, with the expanding elderly population and a growing demand for tourism, the potential for developing elderly-friendly tourist trains is considered huge.
"By 2027, over 100 high-quality routes for senior tourists are expected to be designed, with more than 2,500 elderly-friendly tourist trains in operation," said Zhu Wenzhong, deputy director at the Passenger Transportation Department of the China Railway Group.
According to the action plan, a comprehensive network of senior-friendly tourist trains will be established by 2027, featuring diverse routes, specialized themes and enhanced services for elderly travelers.
Officials emphasized infrastructure upgrades and renovations, making trains and scenic spots more accessible and comfortable with designs specifically catering to the needs of the elderly.
Establishing common standards for senior-friendly travel will be key to improving facilities for senior citizens.
"We need to optimize the services for elderly passengers, deploy professional medical and elderly care personnel on board, and ensure that medical expenses incurred during the journey can be covered through national medical insurance," said Kong Dejun, director of the Department of Trade in Services and Commercial Services at the Ministry of Commerce.
China promotes accessible trains to meet growing demands of elderly population
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday launched the national rollout of Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection.
The launch in Secunda, Mpumalanga Province, marks a major milestone in South Africa's efforts to curb new infections and ultimately eliminate HIV as a public health threat.
Ramaphosa welcomed the breakthrough, contrasting it with the reality 26 years ago when millions of people diagnosed with the disease were effectively handed a death sentence.
"To us, this incredible, incredible treatment is not just a medicine or a drug. To us, it represents a major turning point in South Africa's national story. It represents one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs since the advent of antiretroviral treatment," Ramaphosa said when addressing the launch ceremony.
Lenacapavir, a new, long-acting antiretroviral drug, offers greater discretion, convenience, and likely better adherence for users, especially for people who struggle with taking a pill every day or making frequent clinic visits.
The six-monthly HIV injectable is expected to expand HIV prevention choices and improve adherence, particularly among the most vulnerable priority groups.
"It helped me because now I'm still HIV negative. I think it's a better injection because it only comes twice a year instead of coming every two months or eating the pill every day," said Olewam Plaatjie, a Lenacapavir clinical trial participant.
"I think, myself, it's a game-changer. This will actually improve, especially for the young individuals, our young girls, the young boys, and the general population will benefit from this. So, I think as we fight HIV towards 2030 to eradicate it, we are on the right track," said Mpumelelo Sibanda, who works as a nurse.
According to Ramaphosa, the country's objective is to scale up prevention rapidly over the next three years, working alongside strategic domestic and international partners.
In this initial phase, the long-acting injections will be distributed to over 360 public health facilities across high-burden districts, targeting nearly 450,000 individuals from high-risk populations.
More than 80 million U.S. dollars are being invested in the first phase of the nationwide rollout. South Africa has struck a deal with American biopharmaceutical company Gilead to produce the injection locally, rather than depend on imports.
South Africa currently carries the world's largest HIV burden, with nearly 8 million people living with the virus and more than 6 million receiving antiretroviral treatment.
S Africa rolls out game-changing HIV prevention shot
