China is working on the Provisions for the Protection of the Employment of Handicapped People - a new legislation - in an effort to guarantee the rights of labor and employment for the handicapped population, one of the most vulnerable groups in the country.

This was disclosed yesterday by Deng Pufang, chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation at the opening of the Fourth Congress of the federation.

In the next five years, the CDPF will participate in drafting and promul-gating the law, while stepping up efforts on professional training of handicapped people and promoting their employment through various means, Deng noted.

Efforts will be made to provide social security insurance for all persons with disabilities and medicare for those who are handicapped, poverty-stricken and jobless, he added.

According to the CDPF leader, China has 60 million disabled people, about 84 percent of whom are employed. With the help of the government and all parties concerned, 4.99 million handicapped people who were suffering from great difficulties have had their worries about basic needs relieved, he said.

Deng, son of late leader Deng Xiao-ping, was paralyzed after a fall from a high window during the violence of the 1966-76 "cultural revolution."

Deng said the Chinese government is working hard to help the handicapped achieve the goal of "equality, participation and sharing."

In the first 20 years of this century, China will try to improve the basic conditions of disabled people, respect and protect their rights, and improve their ethical and cultural quality, the CDPF chairman revealed.

As different areas in the country enjoy different stages of development, Deng hoped that developed cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Tianjin will take the lead in helping the disabled reach the goal of prosperity.

The opening of the congress was also attended by President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior Chinese leaders.

In a message delivered to the congress, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan spoke highly of China's efforts to assist the country's handicapped people.

He stressed that disabled men, women and children, as well as their families, relatives and communities, can and must be involved in all aspects of disability programs, from policy-making to the implementation and evaluation of projects.

The congress is a valuable oppor-tunity to share best practices, strengthen China's advocacy and deepen the partnerships - within China and with the international community - that are essential for achieving "our common goals," the secretary-general noted.

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific also sent a message, praising the Chinese government's efforts.