As many as 3 million new jobs will be created over the next five years to employ laid-off workers of State-owned enterprises (SOEs), a move aimed at providing social security and energizing the economy of Northeast China's Liaoning Province.
The move is seen as a crucial step to testing the success of its ongoing social security system reform.
Newly elected provincial Governor Bo Xilai said the reform is of vital importance to the province's economy in the 10th Five-Year Plan period (2001-05).
"As the restructuring of the economy goes on, 1 million workers will be laid off, and their re-employment is of great significance for social stability and success of restructuring in the province.''
Liaoning has suffered for years from an economy dominated by heavy industry despite being positioned as a pillar industrial base in China under the former planned economy.
At present, 82 per cent of the province's industrial sectors are in heavy industry.
"At the moment, we are making final plans for the reform and the programme will be kicked off soon,'' said Liu Keguo, vice-governor of the province.
Job creation and more assistance for the urban poor top Bo's agenda as the province's new governor.
"A smooth transformation of industrial structures in cities that are dominated by mining industries would be another major focus,'' he said.
The province has rich mineral resources, but much of that may expire after decades of use, creating a dead-end for some local enterprises.
Bo also aims to improve the environment, noting the province will plant 2.8 billion trees in the coming five years.
But Bo, promoted from being Dalian mayor, also vowed the province will develop several key business sectors, including petrochemical industries, shipbuilding, steel-making and high-tech industries.
(China Daily 03/15/2001)
