BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The 8th Asia/Oceania Regional Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics opened in Beijing on Monday.

The four-day event is aimed at providing a platform for communication, research sharing and resource integration "so that the elderly can live fruitful lives in their golden age," said Li Bengong, chairperson of the local organizing committee.

Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu said in his message to the meeting that developing research in the field of gerontology and geriatrics is "indispensable" in tackling challenges brought about by an aging population.

"Gerontology and geriatrics can provide intellectual support, scientific guidance and technological guarantee to policy making as well as good health and long life of the aging population," Hui explained.

Government statistics show that 140 million people in China, 11 percent of its population, are aged 60 or above.

The congress, featuring the theme of "Aging Diversity in Asia and Oceania Region: Health, Participation, Security, Sharing," is hosted by the Gerontological Society of China (GSC).

It has attracted about 2,000 policymakers, scholars, experts and social workers from more than 20 countries and regions across the world.