Guizhou enhances implementation of silver economy policies

In 2024, the Guizhou Provincial Department of Natural Resources and Planning bridged the "last mile" in implementing silver economy policies. By optimizing industrial spatial planning, ensuring land use for related industries, and promoting the disposal of existing land resources, the department significantly improved the well-being of the elderly.

The province promoted national territorial spatial planning at all levels. In response to demographic changes, the planning process incorporated principles and overall requirements for the layout of elderly care facilities.

A coordinated mechanism involving provincial, municipal, and county-level authorities ensured land use support, policy sharing, and seamless information exchange. Municipal and county governments were guided to submit accurate land use applications based on real project needs.

Guizhou adhered to a land-saving and intensive-use strategy. It prioritized land use for elderly care services, silver economy industries, rural infrastructure, and residential construction.

The province allocated land from newly approved annual construction quotas, national special programs for poverty alleviation counties, and dedicated rural housing plans. Since 2024, approvals have been granted for 31,500 mu (2,100 hectares) of urban land and 21,900 mu of rural residential land.

The province had also strengthened land supply for elderly care industries. Natural resource authorities were instructed to incorporate elderly care services into annual land supply plans, ensuring priority allocation.

Various land supply methods supported the development of elderly care facilities. Non-profit elderly care institutions, if eligible under the "Allocated Land Use Catalog," can acquire land. Profit-oriented institutions could obtain land via leasing, lease-to-own arrangements, or public auctions. In 2024, Guizhou allocated 41,000 mu for public administration and public service use.

Efforts to optimize existing land resources have continued. Building on the 2023 land use survey, Guizhou annually reviewed land use changes in 2024. This initiative ensured up-to-date records on land approvals and supply dynamics, providing essential data for land resource management. The government also urged localities to address unused and idle land, encouraging its redevelopment for elderly care facilities.

The province also accelerated the use of its "Guizhou Investment Land Map." By the end of 2024, 79 cities and counties listed 3,548 available land parcels, with 413 highlighted for key projects. This platform facilitated site selection for elderly care services and enhanced the use of existing land resources.