This study examines changes in social security and welfare system since the implementation of the reform and open-up policy in china.
The chinese government has pushed reforms in social security and welfare aspect. Its efforts has brought considerable successes.
Frist of all, one of them is the strong consciousness in social security reform.
The Chinese society reached consensus on that there has been deficiency and defect in traditional social security system provided by the government, state-owned enterprises and rural communities. And they also realized that the reforms in social security should be taken urgently.
China has been successfully upheld policy for reforms in social security systems with chinese characteristics. It doesn’t reach its goal yet. But it has sustained reforms maintaining Chinese cultural and traditional characteristics.
In the past, equity was the top priority in chinese social security. Now new reform policy aims at efficiency as well as equity. Adapting efficiency principle is considered as a kind of measure to keep up with the open market economy and social developments.
China has been made efforts to legislate reform initiatives for systematic control in social security. Those efforts give the expectations of profound reforms in social security in the future.
But there are important principles that Chinese government should consider in implementing reforms. Those are the basic functions of the social security system.
First, it is the security. Society should provide benefits that cover those who are in strained circumstances. Second, it is the universality. Society should offer social benefits every individual in need regardless of region, occupation and other differences. Third, it is the equity. Social security is a mechanism of equal allocation. So society should give its members equal opportunities and rights to access social security system.
When these principles are maintained, social security reform could success.