The Aging special topic is used to aggregate articles, forum discussions, and materials related to "aging" on the Rebel Network, helping readers engage in continuous reading and systematic understanding around the same issue.
According to sentinel surveillance data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in the 29th week of 2026 (July 13 to 19), the COVID-19 test positivity rate in China surpassed that of influenza, remaining the leading respiratory pathogen for several consecutive weeks.
In the first half of 2026, the proportion of Chinese homeowners over the age of 60 listing their properties for sale soared to 22.7%, a significant increase from 11.3% in 2022.
On September 19, population expert Huang Wenzheng published an article refuting National Health Commission Director Lei Haichao's statement that the labor force is sufficient. He pointed out that 8-million annual births cannot sustain long-term scale and warned of a demographic collapse in 20 years without substantial improvements in fertility support. The article was subsequently deleted.
The World Economic Forum released the 2026 Global Gender Gap Report, ranking China 96th overall, with the sex ratio at birth indicator ranking third from the bottom globally.
On September 14, Lei Haichao, Director of the National Health Commission, stated that in the face of negative population growth, the fundamentals of China's total population remain unchanged. He proposed actively promoting views on marriage and childbearing, resisting negative views on marriage and childbearing, and simultaneously promoting the integration of childcare and preschool education while reducing the costs of giving birth and raising children.
Affected by the decline in the birth population and the concentration of population in urban areas, the number of primary schools in China has rapidly decreased. Data from the Ministry of Education shows that the number of regular primary schools nationwide has decreased by about 29,700 in five years. Many places have begun to revitalize and utilize idle rural primary and secondary school buildings, converting them into facilities such as elderly care service centers, highlighting the background of accelerating low birth rates and aging population.
On September 9, the financial account Gelonghui Tuji Tianxia released data stating that the number of primary schools in China has decreased by approximately 86% over 45 years.
On August 28, official data showed that China's annual birth population in 2025 was only 7.92 million, continuing the downward trend in births.
On the 50th anniversary of the Tangshan earthquake, CCP leader Xi Jinping was absent from the commemorative activities, with Premier Li Qiang attending on his behalf to conduct inspections, offer condolences, and present a flower basket.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he has convened a 'deep strike' meeting and updated the list of priority targets for long-range sanctions against Russia, with Ukrainian military strike capabilities now exceeding 3,000 kilometers.
Former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Brent Christensen wrote an article on the Brookings Institution website stating that current U.S.-Taiwan relations are at their strongest and most comprehensive point since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1979.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs and eleven other departments jointly issued opinions on promoting the development of mutual aid elderly care services, proposing to achieve a coverage rate of no less than 70% for urban and rural community elderly care service systems by 2030.
The global commercial organization World Data Organization (WDO) held its inaugural conference in Beijing, drawing high-profile state media promotion, though it has been pointed out as essentially a shady shell company lacking international legal basis.
During the UN General Assembly in September 2025, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warned the Russian leadership that Ukraine knows the locations of their bunkers.
In 2025, China's annual birth population was only 7.92 million, hitting the lowest record since the implementation of the two-child policy in 2016.