New think tank for social protection launched

A new think tank to enhance social protection was launched in Beijing on Monday.

The Zhongmin Academy of Social Protection, a think tank under the Ministry of Civil Affairs, aims to conduct policy research in social protection, such as poverty eradication and social investment in nursing homes in rural areas.

"China has been improving its social protection system. As of the end of November 2015, 6.6 million people were enrolled in the Dibao program,about 4.9 percent of China’s population," said Gong Puguang, vice minister of civil affairs.

The Dibao program guarantees a minimum living standard for urban and rural dwellers in an effort to eliminate poverty.

China’s social protection policy research needs to be improved, Gong said.

Wang Zhikun, president of the new academy, said the "academy will bridge government and social resources, establish a platform for communication and cooperation, and train social protection professionals".