Professor Gao Herong, vice chairman of the China Association of Social Security, compares livelihood-oriented and welfare states. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Nearly 150 global scholars and policy experts gathered at Xiamen University (XMU) on March 28 for the 2026 Annual Conference of the World Social Security Research Branch of the China Association of Social Security.

The international symposium brought together prominent experts and researchers from organizations and universities including UNICEF, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the University of Antwerp, and KU Leuven, alongside representatives from over 60 leading Chinese institutions such as Renmin University of China, Fudan University, and Zhejiang University.

Centered on "New Trends in the Evolution of Global Social Security and Welfare", the sessions addressed urgent challenges including rapid population aging, declining birth rates, and the impact of the digital economy on traditional labor markets.

The conference served as a critical platform for aligning China's social policies with international best practices. Jean-Victor Gruat, a former high-level official at the International Labour Organization (ILO), described social security as an essential shield against global uncertainties. Gruat specifically praised China's institutional innovations in elderly care and family support, noting that such systems are vital for maintaining social stability.

Usha Mishra Hayes delivers a presentation on child-sensitive social protection in China. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Similarly, Usha Mishra Hayes, chief of Social Policy at UNICEF China, emphasized that social protection has evolved from a risk-management tool into a fundamental pillar of economic resilience, urging increased investment in child-sensitive social protection.

Following the opening ceremony, scholars shared insights on critical themes including social assistance standards under Chinese modernization, the development of eco-social alliances in European social security, and the evolution of Chinese systems to address population aging. Additional sessions examined South Korea's long-term care insurance practices and child-sensitive social protection policies.