New visa rules for passports issued 2014-2016

I have been advised that for holders of passports issued between 2014-2016, that dependent on age the previous passport must be submitted with the application. It's this accurate? What is the reason for the specific ages?
Passports Issued Between 2014-2016

Applicants whose passports have been issued between 2014-2016 who are male and born between 1961 & 2000 or female born between 1976 & 1998 must provide one of the following:
Provide their original previous passport.
If the previous passport is not available (e.g. old passports that have been lost or destroyed), the applicant must write a letter to the Chinese Consulate explaining what has happened to their previous passport. This letter must be signed and dated by the applicant.
Please Note: Applicants who no longer hold their original previous passport or have never held a previous passport, will have their applications reviewed on a case by case basis. Once reviewed visa issuance will be determined on submission