From May 15 to 17, 2026, the Second Academic Symposium of the Alliance for Independent Knowledge System in Gerontology in China was successfully held at Jiangnan University. With the theme “Upholding Integrity and Innovation, Building an Independent System—Iconic Concepts, Theoretical Construction, and National Strategy of Gerontology in China,” the conference brought together more than 100 experts and scholars from over 20 universities and research institutions across China to discuss theoretical innovation in gerontology and the development of aging-related initiatives. At the Alliance Members’ Assembly held on May 16, the Center for China Population Aging and Economic and Social Development Studies of Jilin University officially became a new member of the Alliance after deliberation and voting.
The symposium focused on the construction of an independent knowledge system in gerontology and the needs of national aging strategies, engaging in in-depth discussions on theoretical innovation in gerontology, cutting-edge eldercare services, and disciplinary system development, while also presenting phased achievements of the gerontology innovation plan. Through thematic forums and field visits, the conference promoted the integration of theoretical research and eldercare practice. The Alliance Members’ Assembly approved the admission of new members and the next-phase action plan, clarifying collaborative mechanisms and implementation pathways, thereby establishing a platform for joint research and resource sharing among member institutions. Professor Xu Shicun, Executive Director of the Center, stated in his speech that joining the Alliance marks a new starting point for the Center’s development. In the future, the Center will base its work on China’s national conditions, deeply participate in the construction of an independent gerontology knowledge system, strengthen research collaboration and the transformation of research outcomes, and provide high-quality academic support for the national strategy of actively responding to population aging.
The Center for China Population Aging and Economic and Social Development Studies of Jilin University (hereinafter referred to as “the Center”) was jointly established in 2009 by the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China and Jilin University. It is a Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences in Jilin Province, one of the first new-type think tanks based in universities and with distinctive characteristics in Jilin, included in the China Think Tank Index (CTTI), and recognized as an Outstanding Research Institution of Philosophy and Social Sciences of Jilin University. The Center has long focused on the relationship between population aging and economic and social development, conducting both theoretical exploration and empirical analysis, and providing policy consultation and decision-making support for government departments at all levels. Leveraging its interdisciplinary strengths, the Center has built research teams in demography, economics, sociology, medicine, and related fields, forming a multidisciplinary and integrated research profile with leading domestic advantages. Driven by major research projects, the Center is led by Professor Wang Shengjin, an Eminent Professor in Philosophy and Social Sciences of Jilin University, as its chief expert. It has consecutively undertaken two major projects funded by the National Social Science Fund of China and successfully completed multiple research assignments commissioned by national ministries and local governments, achieving significant results in both academic research and think tank services.
After joining the Alliance, the Center will continue to leverage its think tank strengths and interdisciplinary characteristics, working closely with member institutions to jointly promote the development of disciplinary, academic, and discourse systems in gerontology. It will continuously enhance its research capacity and social service capabilities, providing strong intellectual support for the high-quality development of aging-related undertakings in the context of Chinese modernization.
