Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju called for more efforts in improving social security system with Chinese characteristics and setting up long-term mechanism of social security in Beijing Saturday.

These efforts should be based on the basic national situation and economic and social development reality, Huang said in a speech at the opening of the first annual meeting of China Social Security Forum.

Huang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the establishment of the social security system and regards it as the backbone of the socialist market economy.

Huang urged that efforts in improving the social security system must adhere to the principle of coordinating planning for urban and rural areas.

The country needs a social security system that fits the rural economy and society, Huang said.

He also said the system should cover the problems of work-related injuries, medical insurance and endowment insurance of migrant workers and farmers whose land has been requisitioned.

Huang also called for a bigger role of social security in adjusting income allocation, which will allow low-income citizens to enjoy the fruit of economic development and pave the road for further national economic development.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2006)