New development in Tianjin, People's Republic of China

The establishment of the new Focal Point for Chinese Members is the result of an agreement signed by the ISSA with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MoHRSS). The Focal Point will undertake activities to enhance exchange among the ISSA’s Chinese member organizations and their cooperation with the ISSA, and is expected to organize seminars on key issues facing social security in China, undertake translations and disseminate information on social security developments.

The initiative is part of the ISSA’s strategy to strengthen services to its member organizations at the sub-regional level, and comes in a context of rapid developments in the Chinese social security system which has extended coverage to millions of citizens in the last decade.

Addressing representatives of the Chinese authorities and senior managers of social security institutions at the opening ceremony in Beijing, ISSA Secretary General Hans-Horst Konkolewsky recognized the remarkable progress of social security in the country.

“It is our firm belief that a focal point based in China will bring vigour and vitality into our new global network. The People's Republic of China is the most populous country in the world and has witnessed a significant coverage expansion in both contributory and non-contributory schemes,” Mr. Konkolewsky stated.

“While China in this process has drawn on the developments and lessons learned in other countries, it is now in a position to share much with the rest of the world in terms of innovative practices and experience,” he said.

In conjunction with the opening of the office, the ISSA Secretary General held talks with Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Mr. Xiaoyi Hu, the Director General of the Social Insurance Administration of the MOHRSS Mr. Zhaoxi Meng, and visited the Municipal Social Insurance Agency in Tianjin.

A Technical Seminar on Adequacy and Quality of Social Security Benefits and Services was organized following the opening ceremony, involving over 60 senior officials from the MoHRSS and other ISSA member organizations, provincial social security departments and social insurance agencies as well as a number of well-known academics.

Additional information

Website of the ISSA Focal Point for Chinese Members >>