BEIJING - China has launched a universal network covering the data of elder care facilities across the country, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said Thursday.

Information recorded about these institutions in the network will include internal management, service quality, security management and staff profiles.

The ministry said it has started a training campaign on how to use the new network, and the first set of information will be entered by May 10.

China's aging society is a major social issue. There are currently more than 220 million people over 60 years old in the country, or 16.1 percent of the population, and the numbers are growing.

Authorities have said they will streamline the approval process for elder care institutions to address challenges brought by the aging population.