National legislators and political advisers are gathering in Beijing for the two sessions, the annual meetings of China's top legislative and political advisory bodies.

Chen Wei, a deputy to the National People's Congress and vice-chairman of the Quzhou Municipal Committee of the Jiu San Society, has been focusing on elderly care and the preservation and development of traditional Chinese medicine this year.

Chen highlighted the urgent need to address the imbalance between supply and demand for elderly care professionals, noting high attrition rates and insufficient expertise.

She recommended encouraging universities to establish elderly care programs and advocated for continuous education and training systems to professionalize and rejuvenate the workforce, alongside salary enhancements linked to service level and tenure.

As a physician, Chen is also committed to the preservation and development of traditional Chinese medicine.

At a recent project launch in Lishui, Zhejiang, she echoed concerns about the aging custodians of unique skills, such as rare herbal combinations and specialized traditional techniques. These traditions, often passed down orally, face challenges like aging practitioners, barriers to legal practice due to educational requirements, and a lack of theoretical development.

Chen advocated for higher education institutions and research bodies to elevate these traditional practices, ensuring that grassroots wisdom gains formal recognition and support.