Zhang told a news conference that within this year, beneficiaries of China's pension system will be increased from 130 million to 150 million; while that of the unemployment insurance system will be increased from approximately 100 million to 110 million; and that of the medicare insurance system will be increased from 90 million to 100 million.

He also said that the pension for the retired had been increased from 415 yuan a month in 1997 to 627 yuan a month in 2002. But he acknowledged that the time is not mature for adopting a national farmers' social insurance system.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2003)