This was revealed by Zhang Zuoji, minister of the MLSS, at a meeting of the Organizing Committee of the forum in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhang said that the three-day forum highlighting "globalization, restructuring and employment promotion" would focus on the relations between employment promotion and economic globalization, poverty elimination and labor market development.

Participants will also discuss issues like how China will rise to the challenge of employment after its World Trade Organization entry and how it will cut unemployment and create more job opportunities.

"Considering employment is an issue of common concern, the joint organization of the forum shows cooperation between China and the ILO has entered into a higher level," Zhang said.

According to Zhang, the purpose of the forum is to discuss the problem of how to promote employment in China against the background of globalization and boost international exchanges and cooperation in employment.

Zhang said that some 300 delegates including labor ministers from 27 countries and a 30-person ILO delegation were expected to participate in the forum.

Top officials from 11 international organizations such as the European Union, the United Nations Development Program and the International Monetary Fund will also take part.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2002)