[Medical transformation in an aging society: prioritizing geriatric surgery development in China]

Population aging is one of the most defining societal transformations of the 21st century. Transcending a mere demographic change, it exerts a profound influence on national development strategies while directly impacting the health and well-being of families. Geriatric surgery, as a frontline field addressing these challenges, has emerged as a cornerstone of surgical care. Herein, we delineate the current state and prevailing constraints of geriatric surgery in China, and propose strategic pathways for its future evolution; all of which aims to provide actionable guidance for the implementation of the "Healthy China 2030" Planning Outline and to foster the high-quality advancement of geriatric surgical care nationwide.