Village in Taizhou hosts banquet for residents over 80

Two elderly women cheer each other with glasses raised. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

Nearly 200 elderly residents aged 80 and above from Magou village in Baimi town, Jiangyan district, Taizhou gathered on Oct 26 for a special celebration — the third "Elderly Celebration Banquet".

"This banquet is not just a meal; it's a gesture of respect for the elderly, a chance for them to come together and celebrate life," said Cao Xiaojun, the Party secretary of Magou village. The village, with a population of over 2,000, is home to more than 900 residents over 60 years old.

Yang Yong, a 45-year-old chef with 20 years of experience, was responsible for preparing the banquet. To ensure the elderly enjoyed a nutritious and comfortable meal, he started his day at 4 am, handpicking fresh ingredients from the market. "The elderly often have trouble chewing and digesting food, so I made sure every dish was not only flavorful but also easy to digest," Yang explained.

Cao also spoke with pride about the village's growth. "Our village now has distinctive industries, such as green corn, and online and offline sales platforms. This year, we expect the village's collective income to surpass one million yuan ($141,000)," he said. "In the future, we aim to further develop our industries, improve the wealth of our residents, and ensure that the banquet continues year after year, bringing even more joy and happiness to our senior citizens."