Brussels, 21/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - The President of the Party of European Socialists (PES) Poul Nyrup Rasmussen MEP, Denmark, speaking the day after a seminar on 20 March at the European Parliament, attended by a Chinese delegation led by Zhang Zhijun, Vice Minister of the Chinese Communist Party's Department of International Affairs, explained to EUROPE that faced with the social challenges of globalisation, Europe and China both had to promote a social model that provided an alternative to neo-liberal policies. Although Europe was currently engaged in a process of economic and social reform that questioned its model of social protection, China also had to better manage the new social conditions resulting from accelerated economic growth. Mr Rasmussen stressed that Europe had to guarantee the viability of its social model and “modernise itself by combining flexibility, social security and competitiveness” and by “investing in human resources, knowledge, competencies and skills”. Mr Rasmussen refused any kind of “social dumping” or any “competition between welfare states” to meet greater pressure from competition from emerging countries, especially China. But in order to maintain stability and social cohesion in China, the Beijing authorities also had to strive to ensure a better distribution of the fruits of knowledge between the very prosperous coastal regions and inland, affirmed the PES President. In this context, Mr Rasmussen warmly welcomed implementation by the Chinese government of the five year programme (2006-10) for a “harmonious society” aiming to strengthen social progress and the social security system, distribute the benefits of growth and reduce divisions between coastal and inland regions, as well as provide a significant environmental dimension.
During the course of the seminar on Monday, also attended by European Commissioner for Social Affairs Vladimir Spidla, Socialist MEPs: Alexander Dobolyi from Hungary, Glyn Ford from Britain and Harlem Désir from France, as well as members of the Chinese delegation, they discussed the social dimension of globalisation, as well as the concept of “decent work” and respect for international work standards. Mr Rasmussen said that it was essential that the relocation of Europe's economic activities to China due to its lower labour costs did not put European workers on the dole or give low paid jobs to Chinese workers with no social protection. Mr Rasmussen insisted that “Europe has to create new jobs” based on qualifications and skills and benefiting from a high level of social protection but China has to guarantee its workers essential rights, a minimum wage, decent salaries and social security.