ILO broadens cooperation with its Chinese partners under the Belt and Road Initiative

“The Belt and Road Initiative opens new perspectives and new opportunities for international cooperation.” says ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder.

Press release | Beijing, China | 29 April 2019

The Belt and Road Initiative opens new perspectives and new opportunities for international cooperation."

Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General
Beijing (ILO News) – During his short visit to China for the 2nd Belt and Road Forum (25-27 April 2019), the ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, signed three Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chinese partners to further enhance South-South and triangular cooperation under the framework of Belt and Road Initiative. “The Belt and Road Initiative opens new perspectives and new opportunities for international cooperation.” says ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder.

Since the beginning of the Reform and Opening-up, China has made very significant progress in a number of areas, including employment promotion, safety at work and social protection. By signing these three MoUs, the government of China and the ILO want to work together and share their experience and expertise to the benefit of other developing nations.

DG and MOHRSS Minister signed the MoU
The first MoU signed on April 27, envisages a cooperation with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS), the ILO’s traditional partner in China. This cooperation is based on a shared vision aimed at promoting decent work, social justice and a human-centred future of work. During the signing ceremony, MOHRSS Minister Zhang Jinan, described how China from an aid-recipient country is now able and willing to support developing countries. Areas of cooperation include social protection, skills development and labour governance.

DG and MEM Minister at the signing ceremony
The second MoU signed by Minister Huang Ming of the Ministry of Emergency Management focuses on occupational safety. Minister Huang emphasised China’s progress in reducing accidents and fatalities at work, while recognizing the need for continuous training and other preventive measures. With its 100 years of experience in occupational health and safety, the ILO is a world leading authority on these issues. In their talks, the Minister and the Director General coincide on the fundamental principle of putting people at the centre of development, rather than sacrificing people’s lives in pursuit of economic advancement.

DG and MOT Minister at the signing ceremony
The third MoU was signed by the ILO Director General and Mr Li Xiaopeng, Minister of Transport, for the promotion of the effective implementation of the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative. The ILO Convention, ratified by a great majority of countries, aims at protecting seafarers’ rights and establishing a level playing field for the shipping industry. The cooperation between China and the ILO on a better enforcement of the Convention’s provisions can help save seafarers’ life and improve the well-being of on-board staff. Minister Li took the opportunity to extend an invitation to the ILO to the 2nd Global Sustainable Transport Conference to be held in Beijing in 2020.

The three ministers congratulated the ILO on the occasion of its 100 years’ anniversary and praised the ILO’s unremitting efforts in promoting decent work and social justice over a century.