The Information Office of the State Council issued yesterday a white paper entitled "Labour and Social Security in China."

The white paper reviewed the tremendous efforts and achievements China has made to guarantee citizens' right to work and social security while building and perfecting the socialist market economy since the late 1970s.

The 15,000 Chinese character paper contains four parts, namely:

Overall Stability in Employment Situation;

Formation of New Labour Relations;

The Establishment of a Social Security System; and

Development in the Early Period of the 21st Century.

It noted that the right to work and to enjoy social security is a fundamental right of citizens, having a direct bearing on their vital interests.

As the most populous and largest developing country in the world, with a relatively low level of economic development, China faces an onerous task of promoting its work in this regard.

The white paper said that proceeding from China's actual conditions, and in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Labour Law of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Government has made remarkable achievements in ensuring its citizens' right to work and enjoy social security, and in improving labour and social security management and services.