Chinais one of the founding states of the International Labor Organization and also serves as permanent Governing Body member of the government group. The year 1971 saw Chinarestore its legitimate seat in the ILO. In 1983, Chinabegan sending delegation to the 69thILO Conference thus formally resuming its activity in the ILO. Since 1983, Chinais always represented in ILO-related gatherings, and has been actively involved in its legislative and technical activities. In January 1985, the ILO set up its representative office in China-ILO Beijing Bureau. For years China has been developing relation with the ILO as evidenced in the exchange of personnel, field trips, seminars and training courses run by the ILO experts in China, developing plans for technical cooperation and assistance in setting up vocational training center across China as well as other activities.

In 2002, Chinacontinued its activities in the ILO.

From 11-23 March, the 283rdILO Governing Body meeting was held in Geneva. China's Labor and Social Security Ministry was represented. The meeting deliberated on issues such as globalization and employment, the annual ILO report on the Declaration on the Basic Principles and Rights in Work, ILO biennial budget balance 2001-2002, Myanmar's forced labor etc.

The Chinese delegate in his speech favored the set- up of a fair and reasonable international new economic order, hoped that the adverse impact of trade liberalization on the developing countries could be minimized and measures could be adopted to help developing countries solve the unemployment problem. He also dismissed the accusations against Chinacontained in the ILO annual report thereby protecting the dignity of the Chinese legal system. He pointed out that this was not in line with the promotional principle defined in the course of adoption of the Declaration. As regards the way the balance should be dealt with, he took the view that a balanced approach should be adopted according to the principle of the financial rules taking into full account concerns of various parties. He further emphasized that the agreement the ILO has with Myanmar is a bilateral one applicable only to that country and in no circumstances should it create a precedent. He requested the ILO to provide technical assistance to Myanmar, and the sanction should be lifted.

From 3-20 June, the 90thILO Conference was convened in Geneva. Present at the conference were over 2000 persons representing member governments, workers' organizations and employers' organizations as well as relevant international organizations.The Chinese vice minister of labor and social security Li Qiyan headed the delegation comprising the three parties of the mainland, HKSAR and MSAR. The conference deliberated on a report entitled "A Future without Child Labor" submitted by the ILO Director-General as requested by the Declaration on the Basic Principles and Rights in the Work and its follow-up measures, and discussed the agenda items including the implementation of the biennial plan 2000-2001.

The Chinese delegate elaborated on the significance of correct guiding the globalization and promotion of joint development in various countries for the labor world, proposed that the ILO should make even greater contribution to the lofty cause of promotion of employment, poverty eradication and protection of the basic rights of workers and creation of decent labor for all, expressed the willingness of the Chinese enterprises to get involved in the globalization process in an active and responsible manner, as well as to be part in the Global Agreement advocated by the UN secretary-General Kofi Annan, thereby making due efforts in creating jobs, broadening the employment areas and perfecting the social security.. Furthermore, he dwelt on the harm caused by the child labor and familiarized the participants with the laws and measures enforce in Chinato ban the child labor. He called on the ILO to take steps and provide technical assistance and cooperation so as to help member countries overcome the difficulties encountered by them in following through the Declaration.

From 11-22 November, the 285th Council session of the ILO was held in Geneva. Chinawas represented by its ministry of labor and social security. The session discussed the time and procedure for the election of the next director-general and agreed that it should take place during the next Council session to be held in March 2003. The session also took up the ILO conference reform, revision of the financial rules and the forced labor in Myanmar.

In his speech, the Chinese delegate stressed the importance of adhering to the principle of financial rules and referring to the past practice in addressing the financial balance, namely, each balance item has to be discussed one by one pending a decision. On the issue of Myanmar 's forced labor, he appealed to the ILO to provide technical assistance and lift sanctions at the earliest possible date.