Experts unsure about law that orders mainlanders to visit elderly parents

An amended law requiring adult children to visit their elderly parents "often" has highlighted the problem of the mainland's swelling ranks of "empty nest" families. Experts doubt the change in law will help.

The amendment, controversial when first proposed by the National Committee on Ageing at the beginning of 2011, was passed following reports that many elderly people were being neglected or abused by their children.

An 81-year-old woman in Tianjin told China Central Television that she wanted to die before last year's Chung Yeung festival - a day when Chinese traditionally pay their respects to their ancestors and the elderly - because her three daughters, who all live away from her, did not visit.

The revised China Elderly People's Interests Protection Law, passed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee on Friday, says family members should care for the emotional well-being of elderly people and not neglect them.

The amendment, which will come into effect in July, says those not living in the same house as elderly parents should visit them often or send greetings. It does not define what it means by "often".