China has only 25 years to prepare for the problem of an aging population before it becomes more serious than ever, according to a senior official from the China National Committee on Aging (CNCA). 

Between 2030 and 2050, nearly two young people will have to support one elderly person on average, which is "a really heavy pressure according to the international average," Li Bengong, deputy director of the office under the CNCA, told Xinhua. 

People in China are under less pressure of supporting the elderly between 1990 and 2030, when a low ratio of old people to labor forces in the country still offers China time to brace for the imminent aging problem in terms of pension distribution, rural social welfare and medical care, said Li. 

The prime time, though, is expected to end around 2030. Currently, China's population has amounted to 1.3 billion and is expected to reach the 1.465 billion by 2030. The ensuing 20 years after 2030 will see China's aging problem turning more serious than ever, with almost one in three citizens over 60 by 2051, posing a great challenge to the country's economic and social development. 

Li said China is looking for ways to raise more funds in boosting services for the elderly. 

"China needs to build its aging society into an energetic and healthy one, instead of one full of illnesses, at a time when the country is preparing for the approaching of old age," said Wang Guoqiang, deputy director of China's State Population and Family Planning Commission. 

Wang said China is advocating that senior citizens should live at home and be taken care of by the community, which suits China's most family structure of "four parents, one couple and one child". 

In China, it is a traditional value that children should help their seniors to enjoy a happy retirement at home instead of staying at senior houses waiting for government services. 

At present, China has 380,000 homes for the elderly with 1.2 million beds. This means every 1,000 elderly people are vying for 8.6 beds, far less than the 50 to 70 beds of developed countries. 

"We find that adding a bed plus related facilities in Beijing's senior houses costs an average of 50,000 yuan (6,250 U.S. dollars)," Li said. 

"In fact, part of the money can be saved if the government issues policies to encourage companies to invest in care for the elderly or gives subsidies," he said. 

Meanwhile, about 85.57 million of the aging rural population, making up 65.82 percent of China's total, do not benefit from the country's social welfare system, pensions and adequate medical care. 

According to a report released by the CNCA on Feb. 23, old people above age 60 in China amount to 143 million, making up 10.97 percent of the country's total population.