China Working to Address Employment Problem: VP

BEIJING, Sep. 19 -- China will continue active policies to create jobs while developing its economy, Vice-premier Zhang Dejiang told a meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members on Sept 17.

The government would invest more in building a public service network in urban and rural areas to help people seek jobs and improve vocational training, Zhang said at the fifth APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting, which opened in Beijing on Sept 16 and ended on Sept 17.

It would also explore new ways to finance the social security fund and improve its management and investment, he said.

According to the State Council Information Office, China has a labor force of more than one billion people, 112 million more than in 2000, and the number of people in employment is almost 780 million.

China was willing to cooperate with APEC members in vocational education and human resources development, Zhang said.

Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Yin Weimin had told the meeting on Sept 16 that China faced new challenges as the labor market developed, particularly when urban job seekers entered the labor market for the first time and young rural workers looked for non-agricultural jobs in the cities.

Human resources officials from 21 APEC members have attended the meeting, which was aimed at providing a platform for participants to explore ways to address the challenges of the global economic downturn and to realize inclusive growth.