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Yating Yang

Nationally renowned and childless Chinese television host Ouyang Xiadan has attracted much attention on social media by addressing questions about who will care for her in old age.
She also revealed her plans to hire professional carers later in her life.
A widespread online discussion was sparked when Ouyang released a video on her personal social media account on July 29.
The television host has 700,000 online followers.

In the video, she shared a story about her friends caring for their elderly mother while responding to a frequently asked question from netizens.
She said: “Some netizens asked me what I will do when I am old and have no children to look after me.”
“Actually, I have thought about this very thoroughly. When I am old, I will hire professional nursing care. And when I am sick, I will rely on trained carers. That is perfectly fine.”
Born in 1977 in Guilin, Guangxi province in southern China, Ouyang is a household name and is known for her distinguished career in television broadcasting.

She joined China’s state broadcaster CCTV in 2003 and gained national recognition in 2007 when she triumphed at the China Golden Mic Awards.
Ouyang later became a familiar face on the flagship news programme Xinwen Lianbo in 2011 before quietly leaving the network.
In 2023, she also drew online attention by refuting rumours of divorce and claims that she was single and uncertain about future marriage.
She said: “Marriage is beautiful, but being single is not bad. I believe there is no difference between being married and being single; what matters is whether you can enjoy your life and live well every day.
“I have a feeling that when you understand yourself more, accept yourself, accompany yourself and love yourself, it might become harder to fall in love with someone else.”
Marriage rates in China plunged by 20 per cent to a record low in 2024, despite traditional values that emphasise marriage and family.
As individual choices and alternative lifestyles gain visibility, her empowering statement has ignited heated discussion online.
One online observer said: “Netizens are really idle. Everyone has the right to choose their own lifestyle, and that choice should be respected and supported.”

“But for ordinary people without a solid financial foundation, having children might actually make old age a bit easier. At least, when you are in a nursing home, they might visit occasionally, and the carers will think twice before mistreating you.”
Another person said: “The most important thing is to save money. Hiring a carer costs nearly 10,000 yuan (US$1,400) a month. In the future, with fewer carers available, these prices might double.”
“Having children does not necessarily mean they will take care of you. Just look around, how many people with sons or daughters are actually accompanied by them in old age or even at the end of their life?” said a third.


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China TV host ignites debate over childlessness, reveals plans to hire carers for old age

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Famous television personality says being single is ‘not bad’, adds that when you learn to love yourself, it gets harder to fall for someone else

Famous television personality says being single is ‘not bad’, adds that when you learn to love yourself, it gets harder to fall for someone else