China Economic and Social Council (CESC)

Institutional characteristics

1. Establishment

- Date of creation: 02/07/2001

- Year operational: 2001

- Nature of the texts that create the institution (Constitution, law, decree, etc.): 

Approved by the relevant national government department of China

- Have any changes in recent years happened concerning the nature, membership, capacities of the Institution.

No changes

2. Mandate

Consultation and advisory ✅

Negotiation ☐

Both ☐

3. Mission and attributions

Oriented toward the trinity of advanced think tank, bridge of communications, and platform for consultation, the CESC is devoted to overall, strategic and forward-looking research on crucial economic and social issues. As the founder of the AICESIS and member of its Board, the CESC makes positive contributions to consolidating social and public support for the bilateral ties between China and other countries by strengthening the connections, dialogues and communications with foreign counterparts, think tanks, mainstream media and noted public figures.

4. Composition :

- Number of members: 239

- Duration of the term: 5 years

- Membership categories:

chairman, vice-chairman, board of directors, member

- Process of designating the members (election, nomination, by whom, etc.):

Elected by the Plenary session

5. Management organs

Presidium / Bureau / Cabinet / Other: Please specify role, composition, designation :

composed of 1 chairperson, 13 vice-chairpersons and the secretary-general

Assembly General / Plenary session / Other: Please specify role, frequencies of meeting: 1 session buy two months

The plenary session is held once a year.

General Secretariat: Please specify role, composition, designation:

The General Secretariat composed of five departments: Department of Administration, Department of Research, Department of Information and Liaison, Department of External Relations and Department of the Journal of China Economic and Social Forum

6. Operational arrangement of the Permanent Secretariat

Yes ✅

No ☐

7. Gender balance (% of women)

Between 0% and 9% ☐

Equal or more than 10% ☐

Equal or more than 30% ✅

Equal or more than 50% ☐

8. Reporting Institution

Government ☐

Parliament ☐

Cabinet of President ☐

Cabinet of Prime Minister ☐

Ministry of Finance ☐

Ministry of Labour ☐

Ministry of Social Affairs ☐

Others (please specify):

9. Budget

Amount :

Between $0 and $249,000 ☐

Equal or more than $250,000 ✅

Equal or more than $500,000 ☐

Equal or more than $750,000 ☐

Donation and financial assistance

III. Organizational Structure

1. Committees/Sub-committees/working groups:

none

2. Is there in your country any institutions of social dialogue outside your institutions?

yes

IV. Functioning of the ESC

1. Who convenes the Institution?

The China Economic and Social Council

2. Has the Institution a legal right to issue own-initiative opinion? Yes.

yes

3.How are decisions taken inside the Institution

By vote ✅

By consensus ✅

4. What kind of payment do the Councillors receive: wage, compensation, other?

none

5. Is the Government obligated to follow the opinion issued by the Institution?

No.The Government take the opinion as advice.

6. Is the Government obligated to report on the fate of the Institution opinions?

No

7. Are there official publications of the Institution opinions?

Journal of China Economic and Social Forum

8. Is the public opinion informed about the Institution works? How?

By news, by the Journal of China Economic and Social Forum.

9. What kind of relationship does the ESC have with civil society?

Part of the Institution ☐

Institutionalised relation ☐

Uninstitutionalised relation ☐

Collaboration ✅

Participation in the drafting of reports ☐

Nothing at all ☐

V.Main technical areas of competencies

Since the Council discusses topics upon social partners´ interest and request, all the mentioned fields are subject of discussion within the Working Teams and Plenary Session.

Agriculture : Conduct in-depth research, hold special forum or seminar

Civil Society ☐

Corporate Social Responsibility : Conduct in-depth research

Culture ☐

Education and Training : Conduct in-depth research

Employment policy and labour market regulation ☐

Environmental Policy : Conduct in-depth research

European Affairs : Hold the China-EU Round Table with the European Economic and Social Committee

Financial and Economic Policies : Conduct in-depth research

Fiscal and Taxation Policies ☐

Fundamental principles and rights at work ☐

Gender equality and anti-discrimination ☐

Governance : Conduct in-depth research

Health and Medical Policy ☐

Infrastructure, Transport, and Energy Policies : Conduct in-depth research

International affairs : Enhance the communication and cooperation within AICESIS members and relevant institutions by attending or holding seminars on different topics,improving mutual understanding and promoting common development .

Labour Law reform ☐

Legal Affairs ☐

Productivity and competitiveness : Conduct in-depth research

Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy and Industrial Policy : Conduct in-depth research

Social Affairs : Conduct in-depth research

Social Dialogue and Tripartism ☐

Industrial relations and Collective bargaining ☐

Dispute prevention and resolution ☐

Social Security and Social Protection ☐

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) : Conduct in-depth research, attend seminars

Territorial Management ☐

Workplace compliance and working conditions ☐

Youth Employment ☐

Other :

VI. Brief description of major results obtained by your Institution in the last 3 years

Please give examples (Recommendations issued, Reports, Collective Agreements concluded, Conflict prevention and social peace obtained, National policies or legal frameworks including recommendations, Reform of your institution) and attached relevant documents

For the past years since its establishment, the CESC has made great contributions in promoting sustainable development of China’s economy and society through providing consulting services. The CESC has established the “China Economic and Social Forum”, held special seminars and conducted in-depth research on the key economic and social issues. Suggestions and advice are accumulated from government officials, business representatives, experts and scholars and provided to the policy-making authorities. Some suggestions are accepted and filed. As a full member of the AICESIS and a member of the Board, the CESC takes an active role in various activities under the auspices of the AICESIS, strengthening the communication and cooperation within its members and relevant institutions.The CESC has made great contributions in improving mutual understanding, consolidating traditional friendship and promoting common development between China and other countries of the world.