China, EU and ILO deepen cooperation on social protection with new project phase

BEIJING (ILO News) – The project “Improving China’s institutional capacity towards universal social protection” convened its first Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for Phase 3, marking the official start of the four-year implementation period, which will run until 31 January 2030. The project’s Phase 3 represents a continuation of the EU-China-ILO collaboration on social protection in China during previous phases, considering the good results jointly achieved, and is funded by the European Union (EU) through its the Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA).

© ILO

© ILO

The PSC brought together representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL) and the EU Delegation to China, as well as key Chinese stakeholders. These include the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS), the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), the China Enterprise Confederation (CEC), and, for the first time in Phase 3, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA), reflecting the growing importance of social health protection and long-term care.

During the meeting, members reviewed implementation progress in 2025, the final year of Phase 2, and were presented with an overview of the objectives and priorities for Phase 3. Members also discussed and endorsed the work plan for 2026.

© ILO

© ILO

Key priorities for Phase 3 include promoting a sustainable and adequate old-age pension system and strengthening long-term care, extending social protection coverage to platform workers and those in new forms of employment, and supporting a just transition to a greener economy through inclusive and effective social protection systems.

Since its launch in 2019, the project has developed into a strong example of constructive, results-oriented cooperation between China, the EU and the ILO. The three partners reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening collaboration to support the adaptation of social security systems in response to demographic change, climate challenges and rapid technological developments.