The New Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly
The New Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, ratified July 1, 2013, is the amended version of a law established to protect the rights and interests of China’s aging population .
China is home to a growing number of empty-nesters whose children have left home or migrated to larger cities. The new law stipulates that children must visit their parents regularly, or else their parents will have grounds to sue.
Although the law doesn’t specify how often adult children must visit their parents, it does state that the spiritual needs of the elderly should not be ignored. The law also prohibits discriminating against, insulting, abandoning and otherwise mistreating the elderly.
Filial piety, or great respect for one’s elders, has long been a core Chinese virtue.
