Chinese, Bulgarian labor ministers meet on social security coopertion

SOFIA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Tian Chengping, visiting Chinese Minister of Labor and Social Security, met Friday with Emilia Maslarova, Bulgarian Minister of Labor and Social Policy, exchanging views on the social security cooperation between the two countries.

Tian, heading a five-member delegation, is on a three-day visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of Maslarova.

During the meeting, Maslarova highly evaluated the friendly relations between the two countries which have developed through diplomatic ties spanning more than half a century.

She attached great importance to the exchanges and cooperation China and Bulgaria have made in the fields of labor and social security, outlining Bulgaria's challenges and chances in this sphere after its entry to the European Union.

Tian echoed Maslarova. China-Bulgaria relations have developed smoothly over the past 20 years, marked by the constantly strengthened beneficial economic cooperation, increased trade volume, friendly exchanges and cooperative relations established in the areas of science, culture and education.

Tian expressed his hope that the two countries will further strengthen their understanding of each other and promote cooperation between the two ministries.

Although China has witnessed outstanding achievements in carrying out the reform and opening-up policy in the past decades, the contradiction of the supply of labor force exceeding the demand will exist for a very long time to come in China's economic development, Tian said.

China is willing to learn from other countries like Bulgaria in improving the social security system and will draw on their successful experiences. China will also join hands with other countries to address the challenges that accompany economic globalization, Tian added.

In 2007, China and Bulgaria renewed a cooperation memorandum on the labor market and social policy that was signed in 2000.