The Future of Social Security in China

In the twenty-eight years since the initiation of the “opening and reform” policy in China, the construction of a comprehensive urban social security program, pension and retirement issues, and labor market concerns have taken on increasing importance as state-owned enterprises shed workers and while new market mechanisms are still taking shape. As the leading government official tasked with managing labor markets and pension programs, Minister for Labor and Social Security Tian Chengping has the responsibility of ensuring that central government initiatives to care for the weakest and poorest-prepared for this transition do not fall through the cracks. During a speech at The Brookings Institution on September 14, Minister Tian discussed some of the successes and challenges facing China as it implements labor and pension system reforms.