China attaches great importance to developing social services and has always paid attention to the innovation of social management, said State Councilor Hua Jianmin in Beijing Tuesday.

Hua made the remark when addressing the opening ceremony of the Second China-Europe Senior Forum on Government Management.

Hua, who is also secretary-general of the State Council and president of China National School of Administration, said the Chinese government has made great achievements in social development.

China has made progress in controlling population growth, reducing poverty, promoting universal education, increasing employment, improving housing condition, expanding social welfare, national equality and unity, safeguarding rights of women and children and protecting environment, said Hua.

He said China has made a big step in socializing social services and promoting community construction in cities and grassroot self-governing organization construction.

Hua noted that governments at all levels should strive to realize the harmonious and sustainable development, broadly encourage the people to participate in the management of social affairs and improve the openness of government management.

Hua praised the forum as an good embodiment of sound Sino-European cooperation, saying China wishes to work together with European countries to promote social management innovation in each other's countries.

Before the opening ceremony, Hua met with foreign delegates of the forum.

The three-day forum, with more than 200 officials and experts from some ten countries, is co-sponsored by the China National School of Administration and European Institute of Public Administration.

Source: Xinhua