(Yicai Global) Nov. 1 -- China's average healthy life expectancy was a mere 68.7 years last year, about 8.3 years lower than the average longevity, the National Health Commission announced at a press conference today.

China's 60-plus year-old population numbered 250 million by the end of last year, some 75 percent among whom suffered at least one chronic disease, and over 40 million of whom were disabled or partly disabled, said Wang Haidong, director of the NHC's Eldercare Department.

Editor: Ben Armour