Why China's social relief efforts have fallen short

In 2007, Guan Xinping, a professor at Nankai University, visited Beijing to participate for the first time in discussions for legislation on China's social assistance system, a comprehensive welfare plan to ensure all citizens' basic living standards. Several scholars and professionals, including Guan, had arrived in the Chinese capital on invitation by the Ministry of Civil Affairs for the weeklong event held at a hotel.

"In the past, policies on social relief were disjointed, so this was an attempt to integrate the social relief system through legislation," Guan said.