In northern China's Hebei province, rural elderly are enduring freezing winters without heating, unable to afford natural gas amid low pension payments. A recent report highlights this crisis, urging immediate action. Experts call for pension reforms to address the structural inequality.
A Farmers’ Daily report declared: “Rural heating problems in Hebei cannot wait any longer.” It described a disturbing reality in parts of northern China: elderly villagers who would rather shiver through freezing temperatures than turn on their heaters, because they simply cannot afford the cost. For many urban readers, this may sound implausible. For millions of rural elderly, it is routine.
The issue stems from ‘coal-to-gas’ heating programmes aimed at reducing coal use and switching to natural gas. In its early years, generous government subsidies cushioned the transition. Over time, those subsidies have been reduced, even as gas prices have risen. For elderly farmers living on pensions of roughly 100 to 200 yuan (US$28.65) a month – barely enough to cover basic necessities – heating has become unaffordable.
Hu Xijin, former editor of Global Times, suggested funding pension reform through cuts to export tax rebates and proposed raising monthly pensions to over 600 yuan. Supporters welcomed his bluntness; critics questioned the feasibility and fiscal priorities. The debate revealed how unresolved and uncomfortable the issue remains, affecting social stability and equity.
