BEIJING — Chinese authorities will streamline the approval process for elderly care institutions to address challenges brought by the aging population.

The move aims to mobilize private funds to engage in elderly care services and reduce the costs of joining the sector, according to a circular jointly released by 13 departments, including the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Public Security.

The circular said that fewer application materials would be required to run elderly care institutions, and that registering real estate as elderly care institutions would be more convenient.

It urged for improved supervision and law enforcement, as well as a smooth complaints channel during the process.

Information on demand and supply should be updated in good time and social funds would be encouraged to invest in the sector.

There are currently more than 220 million people over 60 years old in the country, 16.1 percent of the population, with numbers growing.