China's Human Development Index (HDI) ranks 85th among 177
countries, rising up by 20 percent, according to a report from the
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) released in Hong Kong on
Monday.
The UNDP and the Chinese University of Hong Kong coorganized a
seminar Monday on the report, which names "China Human Development
Report 2005".
The report analyzed China's income and wealth distribution,
employment opportunities, social security, and public expenditure.
It said that China has made remarkable progress in social and human
development since its reform and opening up.
According to the report, China's HDI in 2003 was 0.755, ranking
85th among 177 countries, which represents a medium level of human
development. China's ranking has risen up by 20 percent since 1990,
the biggest progress ever, largely due to income growth.
However, the report also argued that China still faces many
challenges despite such progress. Statistics at the macro level
cannot disguise the gaps in development between regions, urban and
rural areas, genders and social groups. To due with these problems
as well as promote equal human development in China, the report
makes some policy recommendations in the end.
Lu Mai, secretary-general of China Development Research
Foundation (CDRF), Renaud
Meyer, deputy resident representative of UNDP China, and Shahrbanou
Tadjbakhsh, director of Center for Peace and Human Security,
introduced the background, content, recommendations and global
significance of the report.
The report was commissioned by UNDP China and coordinated by the
China Development Research Foundation. It was written by 13 eminent
scholars and experts.
(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2006)