An elderly man rests as residents dance during their daily exercise at a city square in Weifang, Shandong province, China, July 24, 2019. Picture taken July 24, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

A screen shows the elderly care service on Lanchuang Network Technology Corp's smart platform at its headquarters in Weifang, Shandong province, China, July 25, 2019. Picture taken July 25, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

Bi Fenghua, 66, uses a TV remote controller to perform the video chat function provided by Lanchuang's elderly care system at home, during a media visit organised by the company, in Weifang, Shandong province, China July 25, 2019. Picture taken July 25, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

Zhao Xi'e, 55, chats with her sister as she performs the video chat function provided by Lanchuang's elderly care system during a media visit organised by the company in Weifang, Shandong province, China July 25, 2019. Picture taken July 25, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

An elderly client uses a TV remote controller with an SOS function provided by Lanchuang's elderly care system at home in Weifang, Shandong province, China, July 25, 2019. Picture taken July 25, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

Doctor Cao Liangliang speaks with an elderly client Zhao Xi'e via Lanchuang's elderly care system at Zhuojing Healthcare Centre, one community medical service provider connected to the company's network in Weifang, Shandong province, China, July 25, 2019. Picture taken July 25, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

An engineer tests a "Xiaoyi" robot, a Siri-like voice assistant, which links the user to Lanchuang's intelligent elderly care system, at the headquarters of Lanchuang Network Technology Corp in Weifang, Shandong province, China, July 25, 2019. Picture taken July 25, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

A 68-year-old woman with a stroke sits in a tricycle as she rests at a city square in Weifang, Shandong province, China, July 24, 2019. Picture taken July 24, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

Bi Fenghua, 66, and her daughter-in-law are seen on the screen of a TV set as she performs the video chat function provided by Lanchuang's elderly care system at home, during a media visit organised by the company in Weifang, Shandong province, China, July 25, 2019. Picture taken July 25, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

Li Libo, CEO of Lanchuang Network Technology Corp, speaks during an interview at his office in Weifang, Shandong province, China, July 25, 2019. Picture taken July 25, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

Li Libo, CEO of Lanchuang Network Technology Corp, poses for a photo after an interview at his company's headquarters in Weifang, Shandong province, China, July 25, 2019. Picture taken July 25, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

Li Libo, CEO of Lanchuang Network Technology Corp, displays the call center service of his company's intelligent elderly care system on an elderly smartphone prototype, which has partnered with China Mobile Ltd, during an interview in Weifang, Shandong province, China, July 25, 2019. Picture taken July 25, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) navy frigate Weifang sets sail in the Bosphorus, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea, in Istanbul, Turkey May 14, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) navy frigate Weifang sets sail in the Bosphorus, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea, in Istanbul, Turkey May 14, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Chinese people, who live in Myanmar, look at China's People's Liberation Army Navy vessel Weifang arriving at Yangon May 23, 2014.
The ships Zhenghe and Weifang are on a goodwill visit to Myanmar, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.
REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

China's People's Liberation Army Navy vessel Weifang arrives at Myanmar International Terminal Thilawar (MITT) in Yangon May 23, 2014. The ships Zhenghe and Weifang are on a goodwill visit to Myanmar, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.
REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

China's People's Liberation Army Navy soldiers work on the Weifang while a Chinese child, who lives in Myanmar, looks on as the navy's vessels Zhenghe and Weifang arrive at Yangon May 23, 2014.
The ships are on a goodwill visit to Myanmar, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.
REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

China's People's Liberation Army Navy Rear Admiral Han Xiaohu shakes hands with a soldier of the Myanmar Navy as the Chinese navy's vessels Zhenghe and Weifang arrive at Yangon May 23, 2014.
The ships are on a goodwill visit to Myanmar, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

Myanmar Navy soldiers line up as China's People's Liberation Army Navy vessel Zhenghe arrives at Yangon May 23, 2014. The ships Zhenghe and Weifang are on a goodwill visit to Myanmar, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.
REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Rear Admiral Han Xiaohu salutes soldiers of the Myanmar Navy as the navy's vessels Zhenghe and Weifang arrive at Yangon May 23, 2014. The ships are on a goodwill visit to Myanmar, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.

REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

China's People's Liberation Army Navy soldiers stand on the Zhenghe as it arrives at Myanmar International Terminal Thilawar (MITT) in Yangon May 23, 2014. The ships Zhenghe and Weifang are on a goodwill visit to Myanmar, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.
REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

China's People's Liberation Army Navy Rear Admiral Han Xiaohu shakes hands with a Chinese woman, who lives in Myanmar, as the navy's vessels Zhenghe and Weifang arrive in Yangon May 23, 2014. The ships are on a goodwill visit to Myanmar, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.
REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) 

South Korean farmers hold signs as they chant slogans during a rally to oppose the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and South Korea in front of a railway station in Seoul September 3, 2013. South Korea and China opened their 7th round of free trade talks in Weifang in eastern China on Tuesday. The signs read, "Enforce the government's purchasing system against basic commodities". REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST AGRICULTURE TRANSPORT POLITICS BUSINESS) 

A South Korean farmer chants slogans during a rally to oppose the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and South Korea in front of a railway station in Seoul September 3, 2013. South Korea and China opened their 7th round of free trade talks in Weifang in eastern China on Tuesday. The signs read, "Enforce the government's purchasing system against basic commodities". REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST AGRICULTURE BUSINESS POLITICS TRANSPORT) 

A South Korean farmer uses a sign as cover against the sun as he attends a rally to oppose the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and South Korea in front of a railway station in Seoul September 3, 2013. South Korea and China opened their 7th round of free trade talks in Weifang in eastern China on Tuesday. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST AGRICULTURE BUSINESS POLITICS TRANSPORT) 

A man walks through a gate of a factory of Shandong Helon Co. Ltd. in Weifang, Shandong province in this April 23, 2012 picture. The Chinese official was adamant the city of Weifang would keep its rayon factory open, noting that local authorities had just stepped in to help the plant's owner repay $60 million in commercial paper. The bailout averted what would have been China's first ever bond default and was good news for domestic bond investors, who were reassured that in China even mid-sized state-owned firms can count on "too-big-to-fail" treatment.
But for the long term, the opaque, politically driven rescue of Shandong Helon Co bodes ill for a country that must rely heavily on small, private-sector firms for future growth, as investments in infrastructure and basic industry yield diminishing returns.
Picture taken April 23, 2012. To match Insight CHINA-BOND/DEFAULT REUTERS/Staff (CHINA - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

A woman rides an electric tricycle past a bus of Shandong Helon Co. Ltd. in Weifang, Shandong province in this April 23, 2012 photo. The Chinese official was adamant the city of Weifang would keep its rayon factory open, noting that local authorities had just stepped in to help the plant's owner repay $60 million in commercial paper. The bailout averted what would have been China's first ever bond default and was good news for domestic bond investors, who were reassured that in China even mid-sized state-owned firms can count on "too-big-to-fail" treatment.
But for the long term, the opaque, politically driven rescue of Shandong Helon Co bodes ill for a country that must rely heavily on small, private-sector firms for future growth, as investments in infrastructure and basic industry yield diminishing returns.
Picture taken April 23, 2012. To match Insight CHINA-BOND/DEFAULT REUTERS/Staff (CHINA - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

A farmer rides his bicycle along a road laden with food from a local market on the outskirts of the city of Weifang, Shandong province, April 20, 2011. The fertile fields of Shandong Province in eastern China are an unlikely microcosm of the national economy. There is not a power plant or factory in sight, yet the area encapsulates as well as any industrial city some of the forces that are reshaping the country. People grumble about rising prices, adding weight to the authorities' concern that inflation could spark unrest. The virtual absence of any farmers under 40 speaks to China's urbanization, with youngsters decamping as soon as they can to work in towns near and far, leaving their aging parents to till the soil. With the rural labor pool shrinking, wages are rising. China's vast rural economy, home to over 700 million people, seems to be doing well. But urban China is doing much better, and the resulting inequality is a nagging concern for the ruling Communist Party. Picture taken April 20, 2011. To match analysis CHINA-ECONOMY/RURAL REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: AGRICULTURE POLITICS BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT) 

An elderly farmer walks through his field with his two grandsons as he takes a break from planting his crops on the outskirts of the city of Weifang, Shandong province, April 20, 2011. The fertile fields of Shandong Province in eastern China are an unlikely microcosm of the national economy. There is not a power plant or factory in sight, yet the area encapsulates as well as any industrial city some of the forces that are reshaping the country. People grumble about rising prices, adding weight to the authorities' concern that inflation could spark unrest. The virtual absence of any farmers under 40 speaks to China's urbanization, with youngsters decamping as soon as they can to work in towns near and far, leaving their aging parents to till the soil. With the rural labor pool shrinking, wages are rising. China's vast rural economy, home to over 700 million people, seems to be doing well. But urban China is doing much better, and the resulting inequality is a nagging concern for the ruling Communist Party. Picture taken April 20, 2011. To match analysis CHINA-ECONOMY/RURAL REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: AGRICULTURE POLITICS BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT) 

An elderly farmer walks through his field with his two grandsons as he takes a break from planting his crops on the outskirts of the city of Weifang, Shandong province, April 20, 2011. The fertile fields of Shandong Province in eastern China are an unlikely microcosm of the national economy. There is not a power plant or factory in sight, yet the area encapsulates as well as any industrial city some of the forces that are reshaping the country. People grumble about rising prices, adding weight to the authorities' concern that inflation could spark unrest. The virtual absence of any farmers under 40 speaks to China's urbanization, with youngsters decamping as soon as they can to work in towns near and far, leaving their aging parents to till the soil. With the rural labor pool shrinking, wages are rising. China's vast rural economy, home to over 700 million people, seems to be doing well. But urban China is doing much better, and the resulting inequality is a nagging concern for the ruling Communist Party. Picture taken April 20, 2011. To match analysis CHINA-ECONOMY/RURAL REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS AGRICULTURE POLITICS) 

A construction worker walks past shephards tending their flock of sheep in a paddock on the outskirts of the city of Weifang, Shandong province, April 20, 2011. The fertile fields of Shandong Province in eastern China are an unlikely microcosm of the national economy. There is not a power plant or factory in sight, yet the area encapsulates as well as any industrial city some of the forces that are reshaping the country. People grumble about rising prices, adding weight to the authorities' concern that inflation could spark unrest. The virtual absence of any farmers under 40 speaks to China's urbanization, with youngsters decamping as soon as they can to work in towns near and far, leaving their aging parents to till the soil. With the rural labor pool shrinking, wages are rising. China's vast rural economy, home to over 700 million people, seems to be doing well. But urban China is doing much better, and the resulting inequality is a nagging concern for the ruling Communist Party. Picture taken April 20, 2011. To match analysis CHINA-ECONOMY/RURAL REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: AGRICULTURE BUSINESS CONSTRUCTION POLITICS EMPLOYMENT) 

An elderly farmer holds his grandsons as he sits in a field during a break from planting his crop on the outskirts of the city of Weifang, Shandong province, April 20, 2011.The fertile fields of Shandong Province in eastern China are an unlikely microcosm of the national economy. There is not a power plant or factory in sight, yet the area encapsulates as well as any industrial city some of the forces that are reshaping the country. People grumble about rising prices, adding weight to the authorities' concern that inflation could spark unrest. The virtual absence of any farmers under 40 speaks to China's urbanization, with youngsters decamping as soon as they can to work in towns near and far, leaving their aging parents to till the soil. With the rural labor pool shrinking, wages are rising. China's vast rural economy, home to over 700 million people, seems to be doing well. But urban China is doing much better, and the resulting inequality is a nagging concern for the ruling Communist Party. Picture taken April 20, 2011. To match analysis CHINA-ECONOMY/RURAL REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: AGRICULTURE POLITICS BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT) 

Two girls sit near the window of a massage salon on a street in the city of Weifang in Shandong Province April 20, 2011. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS SOCIETY) 

A farmer walks through a field sown with wheat on the outskirts of the city of Weifang in Shandong Province April 20, 2011. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: AGRICULTURE EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A man buys goods from a small convenience store on a street in the city of Weifang in Shandong Province April 19, 2011. The chinese characters above reads " Fragrant Chestnuts". REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: SOCIETY FOOD BUSINESS) 

A Chinese woman dressed in traditional ethnic minority costume performs during a celebration at the 23rd Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, China's Shandong province, April 21, 2006. 

A kite flies during the 23rd Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, China's Shandong province, April 21, 2006. The internationally acclaimed event has been hosted since 1984, attracting representatives from over 20 countries and thousands of visitors from around the region every year. 

A Chinese soldier flies a kite during the 23rd Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, China's Shandong province, April 21, 2006. The internationally acclaimed event has been hosted since 1984, attracting representatives from over 20 countries and thousands of visitors from the region every year. 

A representative (L) from England flies a kite during the 23rd Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, China's Shandong province, April 21, 2006. The internationally acclaimed event has been hosted since 1984, attracting representatives from over 20 countries and thousands of visitors from around the region every year. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

A kite flies during the 23rd Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, China's Shandong province, April 21, 2006. The internationally acclaimed event has been hosted since 1984, attracting representatives from over 20 countries and thousands of visitors from around the region every year. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

A Chinese soldier flies a kite during the 23rd Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, China's Shandong province, April 21, 2006. The internationally acclaimed event has been hosted since 1984, attracting representatives from over 20 countries and thousands of visitors from the region every year. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

A kite flies over two Chinese men during the 23rd Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, China's Shandong province, April 21, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

A Chinese woman dressed in traditional ethnic minority costume performs during a celebration at the 23rd Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, China's Shandong province, April 21, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

People perform during the inauguration of the world kite capital commemoration square in Weifang, China's Shandong province April 19, 2006. The 23rd Weifang International Kite Festival will be held in Weifang on April 20, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

A woman performs during the inauguration of the world kite capital commemoration square in Weifang, China's Shandong province April 19, 2006. The 23rd Weifang International Kite Festival will be held in Weifang on April 20, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

Students line up at a registration office to enrol for the general university entrance examination specialized test for art students in Weifang, east China's Shandong province January 6,2006. The number of art students in Shandong of 2006 breaks past 160,000, which is an increase of 18,000 from 2005.
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Visitors to a kite festival at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing check out kites featuring women wearing western clothes, including a bikini swimsuit August 30. More than 50,000 kites made in Weifang City in Shandong Province are on display at the festival. Kites made in Weifang are famous for their vivid images, fresh colours, traditional genre and artistic characters. 

A silhouetted visitor to a kite festival at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing looks at some traditional Chinese kites August 30. More than 50,000 kites made in Weifang City in Shandong Province are on display. Weifang kites are famous for their vivid images, fresh colours, traditional genre and artistic characters.

ASW/JIR/JDP 

Visitors to a kite festival at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing check out kites featuring women wearing western clothes, including a bikini swimsuit August 30. More than 50,000 kites made in Weifang City in Shandong Province are on display at the festival. Kites made in Weifang are famous for their vivid images, fresh colours, traditional genre and artistic characters.

ASW/JIR/JDP