ILO and Chinese partners review China’s social security system through the lens of international labour standards

Haikou (ILO News) – On 3 December 2025, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with China’s National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA), convened a technical seminar on international labour standards on social security, focusing on the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No.102). The seminar was organized under the framework of the EU-funded project “Improving China’s institutional capacity towards universal social protection (Phase 2)” and followed up on the first technical seminar held in January 2024.

© ILO

© ILO

This seminar reflects the ongoing efforts of the Chinese government, with technical support from the ILO, to improve its social security system and to continue its analysis and research on Convention No. 102.

Maya STERN-PLAZA, ILO Social Protection Standards and Legal Specialist, provided an overview of Convention No.102, outlining its key requirements and principles, introducing the Global Ratification Campaign, and presenting preliminary findings from the latest comparative assessment of China’s social security system against the Convention conducted by the ILO.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) and NHSA shared updates on recent forms in China’s social security system. MOHRSS highlighted developments in unemployment, old-age, employment injury, invalidity and survivors’ benefits, while NHSA focused on medical care and maternity benefit, addressing both coverage and adequacy of benefits.

The seminar brought together Chinese government officials from NHSA and MOHRSS, social security experts, and representatives from the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU). Enikő CSONTOS, International Relations Officer at the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of European Commission, also joined online. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on progress toward meeting the parameters of Convention No.102.

On 4 December, NHSA organized a field visit to a local hospital and a Medical Insurance Service Center, showcasing the practical implementation of maternity insurance and healthcare reforms.

© ILO

© ILO

The seminar underscored the importance of international cooperation in achieving universal social protection and reaffirmed the commitments to continued collaboration between China, the ILO, and the European Union in the area of social security.

© ILO

© ILO