Minister Mäntylä meets Vice Minister of China

Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Mäntylä will meet the Chinese Vice Minister of Civil Affairs, Zou Ming, on 19 November in Helsinki. The meeting will focus on population ageing in both countries.

Minister Zou and the accompanying delegation will visit the Kustaankartano service centre in Helsinki, Kauklahti centre for senior citizens in Espoo, and a residential home for older people maintained by the Betesda Foundation in Vantaa.

Finland and China will face similar kinds of challenges as their populations continue to age. Finland is preparing for the demographic change with, for example, a pension reform which will raise the retirement age to extend working careers. The reform of home care for the elderly is one of the Finnish Government's key projects to support senior citizens' coping at home.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of diplomatic relations between Finland and China. In recent years, cooperation between the two countries has intensified in the social and health care sector. Related trade relations also provide Finnish companies with growing opportunities. Minister Zou visits Finland on the invitation of Minister Mäntylä.

Inquiries:

Anni Kaukoranta, Senior Officer, tel. +358 2951 63558