A number of new laws have gone into effect on July 1, the most bizarre one being an amendment to the “Elderly Protection Act” that states sons and daughters of elders who live away from home must either “go home to visit them often” or “send greetings often”. It is now against the law for offspring to neglect or ignore their elderly parents – seriously!   

Employers must now also co-operate and allow employees to take time off to visit parents.  The law also “mentions” an increase of benefits to old-age pensioners, though fails to actually give specific details about how and when these benefit increases will be implemented and who qualifies.

The geniuses who came up with the new law also overlooked a few other teeny tiny details. How often children are expected to visit or call their parents? Every day, week, month? Does sending a text message count? What about voice messages on WeChat? What happens when you don’t visit or call parents within the yet-unknown time frame? What if you can’t afford to travel half-way across the country to see your folks every month – are there any special travel subsidies and must employers still pay you during your leave? And are parents expected to squeal on their own children when they don’t come round often enough? 

Hmmm…let’s hope for all those lonely parents out there that some realistic details will be added to this joke law soon.

Warning：The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.

Keywords: elderly protection law China new law China