Overseas investors are welcomed to participate in China's programs for the support of the aged as demands for such sercvices are set to soar in the rapidly-ageing nation, a Chinese official said Tuesday.

Businesses and non-governmental institutions from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and foreign countries are encouraged to invest in the projects, which will enjoy preferential policies in the use of land, water and power, and taxation, said Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Dou Yupei.

Dou told a press conference in Beijing that community and institution-based care will increasingly play a supplementary role to the family-based care for some 170 million Chinese older than 60.

The number of the people older than 60 accounted for 12.8 percent of China's total population. The ratio is set to rise in future.

There are only 2.3 million beds in nursing homes for the disabled, orphans and seniors at present. The government plans to double that amount by 2015, which means there will be 30 beds for every 1,000 residents, Dou said.

In developed countries the level is between 50 beds and 70 beds per 1,000 people, Dou added.

At the same conference, Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Jiang Li said China will improve its policies and laws to support social organizations, including the transfer of part of government organs' social service functions to social organizations.

Jiang said other supporting measures included government procurement of services from social organizations and favorable tax policies.

China now has 440,000 non-governmental organizations, nonprofit institutions and foundations, which Jiang said have played an important role in social and economic development.