Chinese VP urges closer cooperation with International Labor Organization

BEIJING, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Vice President Xi Jinping met with Director General of the International Labor Office (ILO) Juan Somavia on Tuesday, calling for closer cooperation with the UN organization in order to boost social fairness and justice.

Praising the significant influence of the ILO in global labor affairs, Xi said China appreciates the ILO's groundbreaking efforts to boost social equity and justice and safeguard the rights and interests of workers worldwide.

"China has always attached great importance to protecting workers' legitimate rights and is committed to facilitating reforms in human resources and social security," Xi said.

"We expect to boost employment for laborers, offer basic social security for them and share with them the progress of reform and development," the vice president said.

China will actively participate in international labor affairs and cement cooperation with the ILO and its member states, trade unions and associations to promote social equality and justice, Xi said.

Somavia highly commended China's progress in economic and social development. He said the ILO values its relations with China and expects to see China's role in the ILO expand in the future.

Somavia is visiting China at the invitation of Yin Weimin, the country's minister of labor and social security.