Volunteers from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine give free consultations to senior citizens at Yuetan Stadium in the Chinese capital on Thursday, a day ahead of the Chongyang Festival.

Also known as the Double Ninth Festival, the traditional Chinese festival falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. This day, dedicated to honoring senior citizens, is celebrated with the tradition of mountain climbing. The Chinese characters representing “double ninth” sound similar to the word for “forever,” thus holding an auspicious association with longevity.

China is undergoing a significant demographic transition as its population ages rapidly. As per the Ministry of Civil Affairs, by the end of 2022, over 280 million Chinese citizens, comprising 19.8% of the total population, were aged 60 or older.Xinhua