Relevant Chinese departments and several United Nations (UN) organizations held their first discussions on youth development in Beijing November 18.

During the one-day gathering, organized by the All-China Youth Federation and the UN Youth Unit, representatives from China's departments of health, culture, environmental protection, education, trade unions, and women, and officials from various UN organizations, including the United Nations Development Program and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, discussed such issues as education, employment, environmental protection, the eradication of poverty and the prevention of juvenile crime.

Xu Jialu, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), told the gathering that the Chinese NPC has strengthened juvenile legislation by enacting a compulsory education law, an adoption law, and a law protecting juveniles.

Moreover, a law on the prevention of juvenile crime went into effect this month, Xu said, adding that this discussions mark a new phase of cooperation between China and the UN on youth issues.

William Angel, chief of the UN Youth Unit, said that the unit is ready to work hand-in-hand with Chinese government departments, the All-China Youth Federation, and other UN organizations to promote China's work on issues related to the young.

The youth population of the world now exceeded one billion, and 60 percent live in Asian developing countries. The problems of young people include unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, lack of leisure time and sports facilities, juvenile crime, and drugs.

The UN General Assembly passed the World Program of Action for Youth towards the Year 2000 and Beyond in 1995, calling on the UN to support all governments' efforts in youth affairs.

The All-China Youth Federation signed a memo with the UN Youth Unit last year on promoting cooperation. These discussions are a part of the implementation of the World Program of Action for Youth towards the Year 2000 and Beyond.