BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- China will hold an art contest for senior citizens, the Office of the National Working Commission on Aging announced at a press conference on Tuesday.

The contest will be run from September to December, with registration closing on Oct. 15.

Participants will compete in three categories: Chinese calligraphy, photography and painting. The contest is open to anyone 60 years or older.

China has a rapidly aging society. Official figures show that as of the end of 2017, the country had 240.9 million people aged 60 or above, making up 17.3 percent of the population.

Wu Yushao, deputy director of the office, said organizing activities for the elderly is a good way to enrich their cultural life and deal with the pressures of an aging society.