摘要：Jia Qingguo, a standing member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and a professor at Peking Univers
Could China become a new retirement destination for foreigners?
中国是否可能成为外国人的新退休目的地？
Jia Qingguo, a standing member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and a professor at Peking University's School of International Studies, has submitted a proposal advocating for a conditional retirement visa for foreign nationals in China. Below are the key points of his proposal.
中国人民政治协商会议常任委员、北京大学国际关系学院教授贾庆国提交了一份提案，建议为中国境内的外国人提供一种附带条件的退休签证。以下是该提案的主要内容。
Why Consider a Retirement Visa?
为何考虑退休签证？
With global aging accelerating, the number of retirees seeking to settle abroad is increasing. The world's population aged 60 and above has surpassed one billion, and the high-net-worth retirement market is expanding at an annual rate of 8%. More than 30 countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, and Portugal, have introduced specialized retirement visas to attract foreign retirees, leveraging their spending power to boost local economies.
随着全球老龄化加速，寻求在海外定居的退休人员数量在增加。全球60岁及以上人口已超过10亿，高净值退休市场每年以8%的速度扩张。包括泰国、马来西亚和葡萄牙在内的30多个国家已经推出了专门的退休签证，以吸引外国退休人员，利用他们的消费能力来刺激当地经济。
Jia argues that if China were to selectively open its doors to foreign retirees, it could bring economic benefits, address real estate imbalances, and enhance China's global engagement.
贾庆国认为，如果中国选择向外国退休人员敞开大门，将带来经济利益，解决房地产不平衡问题，并提升中国的全球参与度。
Potential Benefits Highlighted in the Proposal
提案中强调的潜在益处
1. Economic Growth & Elderly Care Development
1. 经济增长与养老发展
(1)Foreign retirees typically have stable pension incomes and strong spending power. For example, Thailand's retirement visa holders spend an average of $24,000 annually—significantly more than regular tourists. If China attracted 50,000 such retirees each year, it could generate over $1.2 billion in additional spending in healthcare, wellness, and cultural sectors.
(1)外国退休人员通常有稳定的养老金收入和较强的消费能力。例如，泰国的退休签证持有者每年平均消费24,000美元——远高于普通游客。如果中国每年吸引50,000名这样的退休人员，可以在医疗保健、健康养生和文化产业等领域产生超过12亿美元的额外支出。
(2)Encouraging retirees to rent or purchase properties in China could help address housing market imbalances in certain cities.
(2)鼓励退休人员在中国租房或购房，有助于解决某些城市的房地产市场不平衡问题。
(3)Increased demand for high-quality elderly care services could drive industry upgrades, especially in specialized care such as dementia treatment and smart senior living communities.
(3)对高质量养老服务的需求增加，可能会推动行业升级，特别是在专业护理领域，如痴呆症治疗和智能老年人社区。
2. Encouraging Technological & Knowledge Exchange
2. 促进技术与知识交流
Many foreign retirees have professional expertise, particularly in science and technology. Even after retirement, they could contribute to China's innovation ecosystem through advisory roles, helping foster knowledge exchange and collaboration.
许多外国退休人员具有专业知识，尤其是在科学技术领域。即使退休后，他们也可以通过顾问角色等方式为中国创新生态系统做出贡献，有助于促进知识交流与合作。
3. Enhancing International Cultural Exchange
3. 增进国际文化交流
Allowing foreign retirees to live in China could deepen cultural and social ties between China and other countries, as these individuals would gain a firsthand understanding of Chinese society and policies, potentially fostering goodwill and mutual understanding.
允许外国退休人员在中国居住，可以加深中国与其他国家之间的文化和社会联系，因为这些人将亲身体验中国社会和政策，可能促进善意和相互理解。
Key Policy Suggestions
主要政策建议
Jia's proposal suggests that relevant authorities, such as the National Immigration Administration, should explore the feasibility of a Foreign Retiree Residency Management Regulation and international promotion efforts. The proposal outlines several key recommendations:
贾的提案建议国家移民管理局等相关部门应探索制定外国退休人员居留管理规定及开展国际推广工作的可行性。提案概述了几项主要建议：
(1)Visa Type & Duration: A standard retirement visa could offer an initial stay of 1–3 years, with renewals based on compliance. Long-term or permanent residency could be considered for those meeting specific conditions, such as long-term residence, significant contributions, or major investments.
(1)签证类型与期限：标准退休签证可提供1-3年的初始停留期，根据合规情况续签。对于符合长期居住、重大贡献或重大投资等特定条件的人员，可考虑给予长期或永久居留权。
(2)Eligibility Criteria:
(2)资格标准：
①Minimum age requirement (e.g., 50 years old).
① 最低年龄要求（例如，50岁）。
②Proof of financial stability, such as a minimum bank deposit or pension income.
② 财务稳定证明，如最低银行存款或养老金收入。
③Health certification confirming the absence of serious infectious diseases.
③ 健康证明，确认无严重传染病。
④Clean criminal record.
④ 无犯罪记录。
(3)Support Measures:
(3)支持措施：
①Mandatory private health insurance or proof of overseas insurance coverage in China.
① 在中国强制购买私人健康保险或提供海外保险覆盖证明。
②Community support services tailored for foreign retirees.
② 为外国退休人员提供定制的社区支持服务。
③Legal frameworks to ensure rights protection and proper management.
③ 确保权利保护和管理得当的法律框架。
While this proposal has yet to gain official traction, it sparks an interesting discussion: Would China benefit from welcoming foreign retirees? And would retirees consider China as a destination? Let us know your thoughts!
尽管这一提案尚未获得官方认可，但它引发了一个有趣的讨论：欢迎外国退休人员来中国是否对中国有利？退休人员是否会考虑将中国作为目的地？让我们知道你的想法！
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