China is to launch a campaign to improve elderly care services, it was announced on Wednesday.

"Caring for the aged has been discussed many times by the Party and the central government," Huang Shuxian, minister of civil affairs, said during the ongoing session of the National People's Congress, the legislature.

"China doesn't have enough qualified eldercare nursing facilities right now," he said, but added, "We will encourage all areas of society to participate in the campaign."

The government will also provide more services to support people caring for elderly relatives at home, which is in line with traditional Chinese culture, and provide suitable public activity areas for senior citizens, he said.