It's unfair to tell every man to retire at the age of 60 and every woman at 55.

With few exceptions, most men and women in China by law have to retire from state jobs at fixed ages, although many are strong in mind and body and want to work.

Wang Pengjie, a member of the National People's Congress, on Sunday called the current "one-size-fit-all" retirement system "unfair" and "a waste of talents."

It is indeed a waste of talents. An old Chinese saying goes: Old ginger is spicier. This says a lot about the value of veterans.

Ji Xianlin (1911-), an erudite scholar of languages and Buddhism, among other subjects, said he remained a prolific writer after he turned 80.

It's a mistake to think that young people are always more receptive to new and better ideas than "old heads." Even if young heads are excellent, it makes no sense to deprive senior people of their due rights to work.

(Shanghai Daily March 10, 2009)